TP Link BE3600 WiFi 7 Travel Router Review (TL-WR3602BE)

The TP-Link TL-WR3602BE is a Wi-Fi 7 travel router built for situations where you want your own network layer on top of whatever internet you can get at the time, such as hotel Ethernet, public Wi-Fi with a captive portal, or a phone acting as a tether. The basic appeal is practical rather than flashy: it aims to reduce friction when you are carrying multiple devices, sharing a single connection, or switching between different uplinks while keeping the same SSID and settings for your own gear. It is a dual band BE3600 model limited to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, so it does not add a 6 GHz option, but it does support Wi-Fi 7 features like Multi-Link Operation when paired with compatible clients, which matters more for stability and real-world throughput than headline speeds. On the wired side it pairs a 2.5 Gbps WAN port with a 1 Gbps LAN port, and it can repurpose ports depending on how you set it up, which helps when the “internet source” is not always a standard WAN feed. The USB layout also fits the travel focus: USB-C for power from a wall adapter, laptop, or power bank, plus a USB 3.0 Type-A port that can be used for tethering or basic file sharing from attached storage. VPN support is another key part of the pitch, with WireGuard and OpenVPN available in client and server roles, and a physical button that can be mapped to VPN on and off or other functions, which is useful when you want a quick change without digging through menus. This review looks at what the device actually does in common travel scenarios, including setup flow, captive portal onboarding, mode switching, failover between uplinks, power draw, heat, and the way the web UI and mobile app handle day-to-day control at a price that has moved from its initial launch range down to around the 99 level depending on retailer and promotions.

TP Link BE3600 Router Review – Quick Conclusion

f you want a travel router that can take hotel Ethernet, public Wi-Fi, or phone tethering and turn it into a single private network for all your devices, the TP-Link TL-WR3602BE largely does that job without much fuss: it is small enough to live in a bag, runs off USB-C power with low wattage draw, stays relatively cool during longer use, and it supports the common travel modes plus VPN features that let you protect traffic across multiple devices from one place, including a physical button you can map to VPN on and off. The wired setup is sensible for travel, with a 2.5 Gbps port plus a 1 Gbps port that can be reassigned depending on how you configure it, and the USB 3.0 port is genuinely useful because it can handle tethering, some USB modem scenarios, or basic file sharing from attached storage. The main downsides are straightforward: there is no 6 GHz band, so you lose the cleanest spectrum option and the widest Wi-Fi 7 channel widths, it has no internal battery so you always need an external power source, and while Multi-Link Operation is supported, it is not “free” on the hardware side and can push CPU and RAM usage higher, which matters if you are stacking MLO with VPN and other features at the same time. The interface and management tools cover most settings people would expect, but the web UI can feel less polished than the mobile app, and switching between operating modes can take a short while to settle. At a street price around the 99 level depending on retailer promotions, it reads as a budget-friendly way into Wi-Fi 7 travel routing with a good set of real-world travel features, as long as you are comfortable with dual-band Wi-Fi 7 and the limits of a USB-powered, small-hardware platform.

Buy the TP-Link TL-WR3602BE for $99 on Amazon	Buy the TP-Link TL-WR3602BE for $99 on B&H

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TP Link BE3600 Router Review – Design and Storage

The TL-WR3602BE is built around a pocketable, rounded plastic shell that is meant to survive being thrown into a bag without snagging on other gear. It is not the smallest travel router in this category, but it stays within the same general footprint and avoids sharp edges, which makes it easier to pack alongside cables, adapters, and power banks. In day-to-day use, it feels closer to a compact accessory than a “mini home router,” which fits the travel intent.

A noticeable design choice is ventilation. In addition to the usual venting on the base, it has venting around the sides and a vented front panel, which is not always present on small travel models. The external chassis is still plastic, but the amount and placement of venting suggests the device is built with sustained operation in mind, not just short sessions in a hotel room.

The overall finish is smooth and practical, with no gloss surfaces that look good on a product page but show scuffs quickly.

The antennas are mounted on either side and fold with up to 180 degrees of articulation, letting you flatten them for packing or angle them for a better signal path when the router is sitting behind a TV or on a desk.

This style of antenna hinge is common on travel routers, but the travel benefit is straightforward: the unit stores flatter, then quickly shifts into a more usable orientation once powered. There is also a physical toggle button on the body, which adds to the “quick control” feel without relying entirely on an app or web UI.

For storage and carry, the main practical detail is that the router has no internal battery, so it always travels with at least a USB-C power source. That slightly changes what “portable” means here: the router is easy to pack, but the full setup is the router plus a short cable and either the included adapter, a laptop port, or a power bank. If you already carry USB-C power for other devices, it fits into that routine cleanly, but it is not a self-contained unit you can pull out and run without accessories.

TP Link BE3600 Router Review – Ports and Connections

The TL-WR3602BE uses a simple physical layout: 1× 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, 1× 1 Gbps Ethernet port, 1× USB-C power input, and 1× USB 3.0 Type-A port. The Ethernet ports are labeled WAN and LAN, but the router can be configured so the roles are swapped, and in some setups you can treat both as LAN-facing ports if you want a small wired pocket network. The 2.5 Gbps port is mainly there to avoid bottlenecking faster hotel or office uplinks and to give headroom for local wired transfers, while the 1 Gbps port covers the typical “plug a laptop in” use case. As with any multi-gig device, you only see 2.5 Gbps link rates if the upstream gear, cabling, and the connected device all support it.

The USB 3.0 Type-A port is intended as a multi-purpose expansion point rather than a “nice to have.” It supports USB tethering from a phone, USB modem internet in the supported modem mode, and external storage sharing across the local network. On storage, the router can expose attached drives to other devices using common network file methods such as SMB and FTP, which is enough for basic file drop and backup tasks without needing a separate NAS on the road. The trade-off is that storage performance and feature depth tend to be limited by the router’s processor and memory, and it is not positioned as an app-driven platform where you add services on demand. Compatibility is also a real consideration with USB modems and phone tethering, since support can vary by device and carrier behavior.

Power is delivered only through USB-C and the router has no internal battery, so stability depends on the power source you provide. TP-Link specifies 5V/3A, and in normal terms that means it is designed to run from a decent USB-C wall adapter, a laptop USB port, or a power bank that can hold 5V output without sagging under load. In practical use, its low wattage draw makes it easier to keep running from portable power, but it also means you need to plan around power availability in the environment. If the power source is shared, switched off, or flaky, the router will reboot and you lose the session, which can matter if you are mid-meeting or relying on it to stay logged into a captive portal.

TP Link BE3600 Router Review – Internal Hardware

Inside the TL-WR3602BE, TP-Link uses a dual-core MediaTek platform (MediaTek 981B) clocked at 1.3 GHz, paired with 512 MB of memory. In plain terms, this is a midrange setup for a travel router: enough to run a full router feature set, basic QoS, VPN, and multi-mode operation without the device feeling underpowered in light to moderate use.

It is not the kind of hardware you see in newer, higher-priced models that use faster quad-core chips, and that difference tends to show up when you stack heavier features at the same time, such as high-throughput VPN, multiple clients, and Wi-Fi 7 Multi-Link Operation. The upside of the more modest platform is that it helps keep power draw down, which matters more on a travel router than it does on a mains-powered home unit.

On the wireless side, it is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 design offering 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz service, with rated speeds of 688 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 2882 Mbps on 5 GHz under ideal conditions. It supports Wi-Fi 7 features like Multi-Link Operation, 4K-QAM, and Multi-RU behavior, but real benefit depends on client support because those features require Wi-Fi 7-capable devices to negotiate them. The lack of a 6 GHz radio is a meaningful design constraint because it removes the cleanest spectrum option and the ability to use 320 MHz channels, so the top-end “Wi-Fi 7 showcase” configurations are off the table. In return, the 160 MHz support on 5 GHz still gives it room for high practical throughput in environments that are not too congested, and dual-band keeps the radio design simpler and typically easier on thermals.

The hardware also includes a physical button that can be mapped to functions such as VPN activation, which is a small feature but relevant to how the device is used on the move. Under feature load, the limiting factors tend to be CPU cycles and memory headroom rather than raw link rates. In testing with Multi-Link Operation enabled, the device showed sustained CPU and RAM utilization in the 50% to 60% range with a single MLO client connected over a sustained period, which is a useful indicator that Wi-Fi 7 aggregation is not “free” on the router side. That does not automatically translate into a problem, but it does explain why performance and responsiveness can dip if you combine MLO, VPN, and heavier management features at the same time.

TP Link BE3600 Router Review – Software, Services & Tests

Management is available through a web-based admin interface and the TP-Link Tether mobile app, with the app generally feeling like the more streamlined option for quick changes. The feature set is closer to what you would expect from a small home router than a minimal travel gadget, including guest networks, client management, IPv4 and IPv6 options, port forwarding and related routing controls, plus basic QoS by device. It also supports multiple working modes, so the same unit can act as a router, access point, range extender, client, hotspot (WISP), USB tethering router, or USB modem router depending on what the environment provides. Remote access through a TP-Link ID is optional, and the core configuration does not depend on subscribing to anything.

For VPN use, the router supports both client and server roles across several protocols, including WireGuard and OpenVPN, and it also lists PPTP and L2TP options. The practical angle here is that you can run a VPN for specific situations without changing settings on every connected device, and the physical button can be used as a quick on-off for VPN rather than hunting through menus. TP-Link’s own performance ratings list WireGuard up to 450 Mbps and OpenVPN up to 350 Mbps, which helps set expectations that encrypted throughput will be lower than a direct connection. In normal use, that means it is suitable for typical travel workloads like browsing, work apps, and streaming, but it is not aimed at sustaining multi-gig speeds through a VPN tunnel.

In basic travel workflow, two timings stood out. From a cold boot, measured from connecting USB power through to a laptop joining the router Wi-Fi and reaching the admin dashboard, the process took 1 minute and 43 seconds. With the router already powered and a laptop already connected to its Wi-Fi, joining a public Wi-Fi network and reaching the captive portal login page took 42 seconds using the built-in connection tools. Put together, that places the “out of the bag to captive portal page” path at a little over 2 minutes and 30 seconds in that scenario, which is relevant because travel routers are often judged by how quickly they become usable rather than by peak throughput claims.

Mode switching was more variable than initial boot. The router tends to retain the last operating mode used, which helps if your routine is consistent, but switching between modes on the fly could require roughly 30 to 45 seconds to reconfigure and settle.

Failover behavior between uplinks was generally quick: in a setup where the router had both a public Wi-Fi uplink and a tethered phone connection available, removing the tethered phone did not drop the active session, and reintroducing tethering was followed by about a 5 second delay before the router picked it back up. The practical takeaway is that dual-uplink travel setups can work without long interruptions, but the device may make its own decisions about which uplink is preferred at a given moment.

Power draw and heat behavior were both measured under a multi-device load. With 3 Wi-Fi 7 clients connected and 2 wired clients connected, observed power use ranged from about 2.84 W to about 4.12 W, which keeps it within easy range for laptop power or a modest power bank. Under Multi-Link Operation, the internal platform showed sustained CPU and memory use around 50% to 60% with 1 MLO client over a 10 minute window, suggesting the feature has a real processing cost even at low client counts.

Thermals stayed controlled over several hours of mixed use, with readings around 32°C on the top, 33°C to 34°C around ports, about 34°C on the side panels, and about 29°C to 30°C on the vented front panel, which aligns with the heavy venting built into the chassis. There is also an eco mode system that lets you shift between boost, balanced, and eco behavior, which is not essential for most users but does provide a manual lever for trading responsiveness for lower power use.

TP Link BE3600 Router Review – Conclusion and Verdict

The TL-WR3602BE lands as a practical travel router with a modern headline feature set, but it is clearly built around a few deliberate trade-offs. You get Wi-Fi 7 support in a dual-band design, plus the flexibility of multiple operating modes, a usable mix of wired and wireless connectivity, and VPN options that can be controlled without much friction. The constraints are easy to define up front: there is no 6 GHz band, so you are not getting the cleanest spectrum option or the wider 320 MHz channels that some people associate with “full” Wi-Fi 7 setups. It also has no internal battery, so the travel setup always includes a power source, and under Multi-Link Operation the device can show noticeably higher CPU and memory load, which is worth keeping in mind if you plan to run MLO alongside VPN and other services at the same time.

On balance, it comes across as a router that prioritizes travel usability over chasing the highest spec sheet ceiling. The measured behavior supports that, with reasonable boot and captive-portal onboarding times, quick recovery when a tethering source is removed and reintroduced, low wattage draw that fits typical USB power situations, and controlled temperatures during longer sessions. The main “con” side is less about any single flaw and more about expectations: if you are buying specifically for 6 GHz, or you want more processing headroom for heavier, always-on features, this is not the most future-proof option even if it is labeled Wi-Fi 7. At a street price around the 99 level depending on retailer and promotions, it makes sense as a cost-focused way into Wi-Fi 7 travel routing, especially for people who want a consistent personal network when moving between hotels, cafés, and tethering, and who are comfortable with the limits of a dual-band, USB-powered design.

Buy the TP-Link TL-WR3602BE for $99 on Amazon	Buy the TP-Link TL-WR3602BE for $99 on B&H

PROs of the TP-Link BE3600 Travel Router

CONs of the TP-Link BE3600 Travel Router

Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) with Multi-Link Operation support for compatible clients Wide set of travel-focused modes: Router, Hotspot (WISP), USB Tethering, USB Modem, Access Point, Range Extender, Client 2.5 Gbps Ethernet plus 1 Gbps Ethernet, with flexible port role assignment depending on setup USB-C power input makes it easy to run from a wall adapter, laptop, or power bank Low measured power draw in multi-device use, making portable power practical Good sustained thermals in longer sessions, helped by extensive chassis ventilation VPN support in client and server roles, including WireGuard and OpenVPN, with a configurable physical button for quick actions USB 3.0 port can be used for tethering or basic network file sharing from external storage

No 6 GHz band, which limits spectrum options and rules out 320 MHz channel operation No internal battery, so it always depends on an external power source and cable Higher CPU and RAM load observed with Multi-Link Operation, which can reduce headroom for stacked features Web interface can feel dated compared with the mobile app, and mode switching may take 30 to 45 seconds

 

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WE LOVE COFFEE

 

Aujourd’hui, je vous propose un guide complet pour installer Karakeep sur votre NAS Synology. Karakeep est un gestionnaire de signets open source qui va bien plus loin que vos favoris de navigateur : il sauvegarde le contenu complet des pages web, prend des captures d’écran, extrait le texte intégral et l’indexe dans un moteur de recherche interne. En clair, même si une page disparaît ou change du tout au tout, vous pouvez toujours retrouver l’information. Entrons directement dans le vif du sujet…

Synology et Karakeep

Karakeep (anciennement Hoarder) est un projet open source qui a rapidement gagné en popularité depuis son lancement en 2024. L’interface est moderne, il dispose d’une extension navigateur pour Chrome et Firefox, d’une application mobile iOS et Android, et d’une recherche full-text sur tout le contenu archivé.

Voici ce qu’il sait faire :

• Sauvegarde de liens, notes et images ;
• Archivage complet des pages via Monolith (page sauvegardée dans un fichier HTML autonome) ;
• Archivage automatique des vidéos via yt-dlp (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) ;
• OCR sur les images pour en extraire le texte ;
• Surligner et annoter des passages de vos pages archivées ;
• Tag automatique par IA (local via Ollama ou une API externe) ;
• Ingestion RSS automatiquement ;
• Moteur de règles pour automatiser la gestion de vos signets ;
• Importation depuis Chrome, Pocket, Linkwarden, Omnivore, Tab Session Manager ;
• Synchronisation avec les favoris navigateur via Floccus ;
• SSO, mode sombre…

L’installation repose sur 3 conteneurs qui travaillent ensemble :

• karakeep : l’application principale (interface web + API)
• chrome : un navigateur headless qui capture les pages
• meilisearch : le moteur de recherche qui indexe tout le texte

Installer sur un NAS Synology

Pour cette installation, j’ai simplement suivi le tuto officiel et opéré à quelques adaptations simple.

Préparation des dossiers

1. Ouvrez File Station
2. Allez dans le dossier docker
3. Créez un sous-dossier nommé Karakeep
4. Dans ce dernier, créez 2 sous-dossiers : data et meilisearch

Création du conteneur Docker

1. Ouvrez Container Manager
2. Allez dans Projet → Créer
3. Renseignez les informations suivantes :
   • Nom du projet : karakeep
   • Chemin : docker/Karakeep
   • Source : Créer un fichier docker-compose.yml

Collez ensuite le contenu suivant :

services: 
  web:
        image: ghcr.io/karakeep-app/karakeep:release
        restart: unless-stopped
        volumes:
            - ./data:/data
        ports:
            - 3008:3000
        environment:
            NEXTAUTH_SECRET: dCACHEMP9qL4nR8wZ1yA5bC3eF6hJ0tU # A modifier
            MEILI_MASTER_KEY: sYnOlogy5aS8dF3gH7jK1lZ4xC6vB0nM # A modifier
            NEXTAUTH_URL: http://192.168.1.100:3008
            MEILI_ADDR: http://meilisearch:7700
            BROWSER_WEB_URL: http://chrome:9222
            DATA_DIR: /data
            CRAWLER_STORE_PDF: "true" # A retirer si vous ne souhaitez pas de PDF
        depends_on:
            - chrome
            - meilisearch
  chrome:
      image: gcr.io/zenika-hub/alpine-chrome:124
      restart: unless-stopped
      command:
          - --no-sandbox
          - --disable-gpu
          - --disable-dev-shm-usage
          - --remote-debugging-address=0.0.0.0
          - --remote-debugging-port=9222
          - --hide-scrollbars
  meilisearch:
      image: getmeili/meilisearch:v1.37.0
      restart: unless-stopped
      volumes:
          - ./meilisearch:/meili_data
      environment:
          MEILI_MASTER_KEY: sYnOlogy5aS8dF3gH7jK1lZ4xC6vB0nM # A modifier
          MEILI_NO_ANALYTICS: "true"

Avant de cliquer sur Suivant, prenez quelques instant pour personnaliser :

• NEXTAUTH_URL : http://192.168.1.100:3008 (adresse IP de votre NAS)
• NEXTAUTH_SECRET (en rouge) : chaîne de caractères aléatoires pour sécuriser votre installation
• MEILI_MASTER_KEY (en bleu) : chaîne de caractères aléatoires identique dans les services web et meilisearch

Une fois les valeurs ajustées, cliquez sur Suivant puis sur Effectué. Container Station va télécharger les 3 images (cela peut prendre quelques minutes selon votre connexion) puis démarrer les conteneurs…

Première connexion

Ouvrez un onglet dans votre navigateur et rendez-vous sur : http://AdresseIPduNAS:3008

Cliquez sur le Sign up pour créer votre premier compte. Renseignez une adresse e-mail et un mot de passe, puis connectez-vous. Vous pourrez changer pour avoir une interface en français

Bloquer les inscriptions

Une fois votre compte créé, il est vivement conseillé de désactiver la création de nouveaux comptes. Pour cela, ajoutez simplement la ligne suivante dans la section environment du service web : DISABLE_SIGNUPS: "true"
Redémarrez le projet depuis Container Station pour appliquer le changement.

Installer l’extension navigateur

Pour sauvegarder une page en un clic depuis Chrome ou Firefox, installez l’extension officielle Karakeep :

• Chrome : Chrome Web Store
• Firefox : Firefox Add-ons

Lors de la première utilisation, l’extension vous demande l’adresse de votre instance (http://AdresseIPduNAS:3008) ainsi que vos identifiants. Après ça, il suffit de cliquer sur l’icône dans la barre pour archiver n’importe quelle page.

En synthèse

Karakeep est une solution intéressante et activement développée pour ne plus jamais perdre une information glanée sur le Web. L’installation sur un NAS Synology ne prend que quelques minutes avec Container Station… Le résultat est une application fluide, interrogeable avec son moteur de recherche, accessible depuis n’importe quel navigateur ou téléphone. Si vous avez un NAS QNAP, Asustor, TerraMaster ou Ugreen, sachez que la configuration présentée ci-dessus fonctionnera également sans modification

Synology RS1626xs+ Rackstation NAS Revealed

The Synology RS1626xs+ is a 1U 4 bay rackmount NAS aimed at business and enterprise environments that need high performance in a short-depth footprint. It succeeds the RS1619xs+ after a notably long refresh gap and introduces a more modern hardware platform, including a newer Intel Xeon D processor, 16 GB of ECC memory as standard, dual 10GbE networking, integrated M.2 NVMe slots, and PCIe Gen4 expansion. On paper, this is a more substantial update than some recent Synology refreshes, particularly in areas that affect throughput, caching, and expansion flexibility. At the same time, the RS1626xs+ arrives within the current Synology enterprise strategy, which places tighter control around validated components and supported media. That means the hardware changes need to be considered alongside platform restrictions, expected pricing movement, and the wider value proposition of DSM in the business rackmount market. As a result, the RS1626xs+ looks positioned as a compact but capable SMB and enterprise rack NAS, though its appeal will likely depend as much on Synology’s ecosystem policies as on the hardware itself.

Synology RS1626xs+ Hardware Specifications

At the core of the RS1626xs+ is an Intel Xeon D-1726 processor, a 6-core, 12-thread CPU with a 2.9 GHz base clock and up to 3.5 GHz turbo. This is a clear step up from the previous generation Xeon D-1527 found in the RS1619xs+, increasing both core count and clock speed. Although it is not the newest server CPU architecture available in 2026, it is a more current platform than its predecessor and brings PCIe Gen4 support, which has a direct effect on overall system bandwidth for expansions and attached components.

Category	Specification
Model	Synology RackStation RS1626xs+
Form Factor	1U rackmount
Processor	Intel Xeon D-1726
CPU Count	1
CPU Cores	6
CPU Threads	12
Architecture	64-bit
CPU Frequency	2.9 GHz base / 3.5 GHz max turbo
Hardware Encryption Engine	Yes
Memory (Default)	16 GB DDR4 ECC RDIMM
Memory Slots	4
Maximum Memory	64 GB (4 x 16 GB)
Drive Bays	4
Maximum Bays with Expansion	16
Expansion Unit	RX1225RP x1
M.2 Slots	2 x M.2 2280 NVMe
Supported Drive Types	3.5″ SATA HDD, 2.5″ SATA SSD, M.2 2280 NVMe SSD
Hot Swap Support	Yes, for main drive bays
10GbE Ports	2 x RJ-45
Management Port	1 x out-of-band management/data transmission port
USB Ports	2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
Expansion Port	1
Expansion Port Type	Mini-SAS HD
PCIe Slot	1 x PCIe Gen4 x8
Dimensions	44 x 481.9 x 668.5 mm
Weight	9.5 kg
Rack Support	4-post 19″ rack
Rail Kit	Synology RKS-04
System Fans	4 x 40 mm x 40 mm
Fan Modes	Full speed, low temperature, silent
Replaceable System Fan	Yes
Auto Power Recovery	Yes
Noise Level	52.6 dB(A)
Scheduled Power On/Off	Yes
Wake Support	Yes
Power Supply	250 W
Redundant PSU	Yes
AC Input Voltage	100V to 240V AC
Frequency	50/60 Hz
Power Consumption	97.59 W (access), 56.19 W (HDD hibernation)
BTU	332.78 BTU/hr (access), 191.61 BTU/hr (HDD hibernation)
Warranty	5 years

Memory has also been increased, with the RS1626xs+ arriving with 16 GB of DDR4 ECC RDIMM as standard across 4 memory slots, with support for up to 64 GB total. That doubles the default memory provision of the older model and should better align with virtualization, backup indexing, active collaboration workloads, and larger multi-service deployments in DSM. Synology continues to recommend its own validated memory for upgrades, and as with other current business systems in its portfolio, warranty and support are tied closely to approved components.

In terms of storage, the system retains a 4 bay SATA drive architecture and supports expansion up to 16 total bays through the RX1225RP expansion unit. Alongside the main bays, Synology has included 2 internal M.2 2280 NVMe slots for SSD caching without consuming the PCIe expansion slot or front storage bays. This allows the RS1626xs+ to support flash-assisted performance acceleration out of the box, while preserving the rear PCIe slot for network or storage upgrades. Official support covers 3.5-inch SATA HDDs, 2.5-inch SATA SSDs, and M.2 NVMe SSDs, though deployment flexibility will still depend on Synology’s compatibility policies.

Networking is one of the more significant changes in this generation. The RS1626xs+ includes 2 built-in 10GbE RJ-45 ports, compared with the 4 x 1GbE arrangement of the RS1619xs+. There is also a dedicated out-of-band management port, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and a Mini-SAS HD expansion connector for the external shelf. For additional connectivity, the system includes 1 PCIe Gen4 x8 slot that can be used for 10GbE, 25GbE, or Fibre Channel upgrades, giving it more flexibility for storage networks and higher-bandwidth business environments than the previous model’s Gen3 slot.

Physically, the RS1626xs+ remains a 1U rack system but is notably deeper and heavier than the older unit, measuring 44 x 481.9 x 668.5 mm and weighing 9.5 kg. It also moves to a 250 W redundant power design, compared with the earlier 150 W arrangement, which reflects the higher performance profile and expanded integrated feature set. Synology rates the unit at 97.59 W during access and 56.19 W during HDD hibernation, with a quoted noise level of 52.6 dB(A). Cooling is handled by 4 x 40 mm fans, and the system includes standard enterprise features such as dual hot-swappable PSUs, scheduled power controls, auto-restart after power loss, and a 5-year warranty.

Synology RS1626xs+ Software Specifications

On the software side, the RS1626xs+ is positioned as a full DSM business platform rather than a storage-only rackmount. It supports up to 32 storage pools, a maximum single volume size of 108 TB by default, 200 TB with at least 32 GB of memory, and up to 1 PB in specific RAID 6 configurations with 64 GB of memory. Supported RAID modes include Basic, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, and RAID F1, with SSD read/write cache and SSD TRIM also supported. File system support includes Btrfs internally, with a broad range of external file systems and network protocols including SMB, NFS, FTP, WebDAV, Rsync, iSCSI, and Fibre Channel.

DSM on this platform is also designed to support heavier service consolidation. Synology rates the RS1626xs+ for up to 1,900 SMB connections, 2,048 local user accounts, 512 shared folders, and 12 shared folder sync tasks. In application terms, the system is listed with support for up to 3,100 Synology Drive users, 3,000 Synology Office users, 3,600 MailPlus users, and 400 Synology Chat users, depending on memory configuration and workload type. Virtualization support includes VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix XenServer, and OpenStack, while Virtual Machine Manager is rated for 12 virtual machines and 12 Virtual DSM instances.

Beyond file serving, the RS1626xs+ includes Synology’s wider business software stack for backup, surveillance, synchronization, and centralized administration. It supports Synology High Availability, Hyper Backup, Active Backup workloads, Snapshot Replication with up to 4,096 system snapshots, SAN Manager with up to 256 iSCSI targets and 512 LUNs, and Surveillance Station with 2 camera licenses included and support for up to 75 IP cameras at 1080p. Synology also positions the platform for hybrid cloud workflows, centralized fleet management through CMS and Active Insight, and newer AI-assisted functions within its collaboration suite, making the RS1626xs+ a software-heavy platform where DSM remains a major part of the system’s overall value.

Category	Specification
OS	DSM
Max Volume Size	108 TB, 200 TB with 32 GB RAM, up to 1 PB with 64 GB RAM and RAID 6
Max Storage Pools / Volumes	32
RAID Support	Basic, JBOD, RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, F1
SSD Features	Read/write cache, TRIM
Internal File System	Btrfs
External File Systems	Btrfs, ext4, ext3, FAT32, NTFS, HFS+, exFAT
File Protocols	SMB, AFP, NFS, FTP, WebDAV, Rsync
Max SMB Connections	1,900
User / Folder Limits	2,048 users, 512 groups, 512 shared folders
Shared Folder Sync Tasks	12
Hybrid Share Folder Limit	15
High Availability	Yes
Hyper Backup	Yes
Snapshot Replication	256 snapshots per shared folder, 64 per LUN, 4,096 per system
SAN Manager	256 iSCSI targets, 512 LUNs
Virtualization Support	VMware vSphere, Hyper-V, Citrix XenServer, OpenStack
Virtual Machine Manager	12 VMs, 12 Virtual DSM instances
Synology Drive	3,100 users, 25,000,000 files
Synology Office	3,000 users
Synology Chat	400 users
MailPlus	5 free accounts, up to 3,600 users
Surveillance Station	2 licenses included, up to 75 IP cameras
Synology Photos	Facial recognition, object identification
Download Station	80 tasks
VPN Server	12 connections
AI Features	Third-party AI model integration, de-identification up to 1,700 words

Synology RS1626xs+ vs RS1619xs+ NAS

Compared with the RS1619xs+, the RS1626xs+ is a more substantial hardware refresh than the model gap alone might suggest. The older system used an Intel Xeon D-1527, a 4-core, 8-thread processor running at 2.2 GHz base and 2.7 GHz turbo, whereas the RS1626xs+ moves to a Xeon D-1726 with 6 cores, 12 threads, 2.9 GHz base, and 3.5 GHz turbo. The newer model also doubles the default memory from 8 GB DDR4 ECC UDIMM to 16 GB DDR4 ECC RDIMM, while retaining the same 64 GB maximum ceiling across 4 slots. At the platform level, the move from PCIe Gen3 x8 to PCIe Gen4 x8 is also relevant, as it increases available expansion bandwidth for modern network or storage upgrades.

The networking and storage configuration also show a clearer shift in priorities. The RS1619xs+ arrived with 4 x 1GbE ports and required expansion for faster networking, whereas the RS1626xs+ includes 2 x 10GbE RJ-45 ports as standard, alongside a dedicated management port. Both systems support expansion to 16 bays with a 1 unit expansion shelf and both include 2 M.2 slots, but the RS1626xs+ is more focused on NVMe caching with integrated flash support alongside newer expansion options such as 10GbE, 25GbE, and Fibre Channel via the Gen4 slot. In practical terms, the newer system is much better aligned with modern high-throughput business environments straight out of the box.

That said, the RS1626xs+ is not an across-the-board improvement in every operational metric. It is larger, deeper, heavier, and significantly noisier on paper, moving from 518.6 mm depth and 39.3 dB(A) on the RS1619xs+ to 668.5 mm depth and 52.6 dB(A) on the newer model. Power consumption is also higher, rising from 68.68 W active usage on the older unit to 97.59 W on the newer platform. So while the RS1626xs+ is clearly the more capable and modern system in CPU, networking, memory, and expansion, it also reflects a more demanding enterprise profile in acoustics, power draw, and likely total deployment cost.

Synology RS1626xs+ Price and Release

At the time of writing, Synology has revealed the RS1626xs+ on regional product pages, but wider global availability still appears to be pending. The system has already appeared in official marketing materials and product specification pages, indicating that the hardware and software position are now largely defined, even if retail rollout is not yet universal across all regions. Based on that, the RS1626xs+ should be treated as officially revealed, but not yet fully launched in every market. Release timing is notable because the RS1626xs+ arrives after a long gap following the RS1619xs+, which was introduced in the 2018 to 2019 period. That makes this a delayed but more meaningful refresh than some of Synology’s shorter product cycles, particularly given the changes to CPU generation, default memory, built-in networking, PCIe bandwidth, and integrated NVMe support. It is therefore not simply a minor refresh of the previous 1U 4 bay platform, even if the overall product class remains the same.

Pricing has not yet been formally confirmed in the materials provided, so any figure at this stage remains estimate rather than specification. The earlier RS1619xs+ was commonly seen around the $2,400 range earlier in its lifecycle, but later pricing in some regions moved closer to or above $3,000. Given the RS1626xs+ includes 16 GB ECC memory as standard, dual 10GbE onboard, a newer Xeon D platform, PCIe Gen4, and redundant 250 W power supplies, it would be reasonable to expect a higher launch price than its predecessor rather than price parity. The main issue for buyers will likely be total platform cost rather than base chassis cost alone. This system is aimed at business and enterprise deployment, and that means the final spend may also include validated Synology drives, NVMe media, memory upgrades, rail kits, network cards, and the RX1225RP expansion shelf where needed. Until Synology confirms full regional rollout and channel pricing, the RS1626xs+ should be viewed as a higher-tier compact rackmount NAS with an expected premium position in the current RackStation portfolio.

Synology RS1626xs+ NAS
Check Amazon in Your Region for the Synology RS1626xs+ NAS	Check B&H for the Synology RS1626xs+ NAS

 

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Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

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Cela faisait longtemps que Synology n’avait pas lancé un nouveau produit… et là pour le moins que l’on puisse dire, c’est que cela risque d’en surprendre plus d’un. En effet, si Synology est connu pour ses NAS, ses routeurs, ses caméras IP… mais le fabricant vient de passer à la vitesse supérieure. Ce n’est pas une simple évolution logicielle ou un nouveau boîtier plus compact. Non, Synology vient tout simplement d’annoncer : son premier robot humanoïde. Baptisé Synology Assistant One (SA-1), ce robot intelligent ambitionne de s’imposer comme un véritable compagnon du quotidien, à mi-chemin entre assistant numérique et majordome domestique.

Synology Assistant One : savoir-faire industriel

Si cette annonce peut paraître surprenante, elle ne sort pourtant pas de nulle part. En coulisses, Synology utilise depuis plusieurs années des robots avancés sur ses chaînes de production. Ces machines, capables d’assembler avec précision les composants des NAS et autres équipements réseau, ont progressivement gagné en autonomie et en intelligence. Face à ces progrès, la marque a décidé de franchir une étape logique : adapter cette technologie au grand public.

Le SA-1 reprend ainsi une grande partie des capacités observées sur ces robots industriels, avec une ergonomie pensée pour la maison. Résultat : un robot humanoïde capable de se déplacer de manière fluide, de manipuler des objets avec précision et d’interagir naturellement avec son utilisateur.

Un assistant domestique ultra-polyvalent

Synology promet un robot capable de simplifier la vie quotidienne sur de nombreux aspects. Évidemment, l’ADN de la marque reste bien présent. Le SA-1 est entièrement intégré à l’écosystème Synology avec un logiciel SAM (Synology Assistant Manager) capable d’intéragir avec les autres produits de la marque.

 

Il peut ainsi :

• Gérer les sauvegardes de données ;
• Surveiller l’état des NAS et du réseau domestique ;
• Détecter les anomalies de sécurité ;
• Effectuer des maintenances de base.

Mais là où le robot surprend, c’est dans ses capacités physiques. Inspiré des robots humanoïdes les plus avancés du marché, il est capable de :

• Faire le ménage (aspirateur, rangement léger) ;
• Arroser le jardin ;
• Transporter des objets ;
• Protéger votre logement ;
• Aider à la préparation de tâches simples.

Grâce à ses capteurs et à son intelligence embarquée, le SA-1 reconnaît les membres du foyer, adapte son comportement et peut même anticiper certaines actions du quotidien. Il répond à la voix dès qu’on dit : « Hey SAM… ».

Quelques choix techniques… fidèles à l’ADN de la marque

Fidèle à sa réputation, Synology accompagne son robot SA-1 de choix techniques qui ne manqueront pas de faire réagir : processeur volontairement « éprouvé » plutôt que dernier cri, connectivité limitée au Wi-Fi 6 et à un port réseau 1 Gb/s, ou encore une recharge lente privilégiant la longévité de la batterie.

À cela s’ajoute un écosystème très encadré avec des accessoires uniquement certifiés par la marque. Des choix assumées, orientées vers la stabilité et la fiabilité, mais qui risquent de frustrer les utilisateurs les plus exigeants en quête de performances et de liberté.

Une intelligence boostée à l’IA

Le SA-1 s’appuie sur une intelligence artificielle avancée, capable d’apprendre des habitudes de son utilisateur. Plus il est utilisé, plus il devient efficace. Synology met particulièrement l’accent sur la confidentialité des données : toutes les informations sont stockées localement sur le NAS de l’utilisateur, sans dépendance au Cloud.

Une approche rassurante pour les utilisateurs soucieux de leur vie privée, tout en offrant une expérience personnalisée.

Un prix (presque) accessible

Côté tarif, Synology annonce un prix de lancement fixé à 19 999 $. Un positionnement qui peut sembler élevé, mais qui reste relativement compétitif au regard des technologies embarquées et des capacités du robot. La marque vise clairement les passionnés de high-tech, les early adopters et les foyers déjà équipés de solutions Synology.

Une nouvelle ère pour Synology ?

Avec le SA-1, Synology ne se contente pas d’élargir son catalogue. Le fabricant ouvre une nouvelle voie, où le stockage de données et l’assistance physique se rejoignent dans un même produit. Reste à savoir si ce robot trouvera sa place dans nos foyers… ou s’il restera un gadget futuriste réservé à une poignée d’utilisateurs. Dans tous les cas, une chose est sûre : on n’avait pas vu Synology prendre un virage aussi audacieux depuis longtemps.

Et si votre prochain NAS pouvait aussi passer l’aspirateur… avouez que ce serait difficile de dire non.

dans le robot !

Bien sûr, tout ceci n’est qu’un poisson d’avril ! Synology ne lance pas de robot humanoïde… quoique certains s’y voyaient déjà. Rassurez-vous : la marque continue de travailler à rendre ses NAS toujours plus performants… et de nouvelles annonces sont attendues dans les semaines à venir.

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UGREEN has become an increasingly relevant name for NAS users, expanding from its well known accessories business into dedicated NAS hardware with its NASync range for home users, creators, and small businesses. At NASCompares, we have covered UGREEN NAS closely, from early hands on reviews to longer term follow ups, helping our audience weigh up its hardware value, software progress, and place in the wider NAS market. If you choose to buy UGREEN through our affiliate links, you will not pay anything extra, but you will be directly helping NASCompares continue its videos, guides, reviews, and day to day coverage of emerging NAS brands like this one.

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UniFi has pushed further into storage with its UNAS range, bringing NAS hardware into the same ecosystem as its switching, routing, surveillance, and broader UniFi management platform, with models now spanning compact desktop systems through to rackmount 10GbE solutions. At NASCompares, we have followed the UniFi UNAS family closely with reviews, comparisons, and long term coverage, helping readers understand where these systems excel, where they are still evolving, and how well they fit into real world home and business storage setups. If you choose to buy a UniFi UNAS system through our affiliate links, it will not cost you anything extra, but it does help support NASCompares and allows us to keep producing independent videos, guides, reviews, and ongoing NAS coverage.

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AOOSTAR NAS devices have carved out a niche in the market by combining compact mini PC style designs with surprisingly capable storage hardware, with systems like the WTR Pro and WTR Max appealing to home lab users, enthusiasts, and buyers looking for flexible OS free NAS solutions. At NASCompares, we have covered AOOSTAR closely across reviews, comparisons, and hands on testing, helping readers understand the balance of price, performance, expandability, and the extra setup that often comes with these more DIY leaning systems. If you choose to buy an AOOSTAR NAS through our affiliate links, it will not cost you anything extra, but it does help support NASCompares and allows us to keep producing independent videos, guides, reviews, and ongoing coverage of innovative NAS hardware like this.

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TerraMaster has become a well established name in NAS, offering a broad range of desktop and rackmount solutions that appeal to home users, enthusiasts, and small businesses, with recent systems and the latest TOS 6 software showing how the brand continues to evolve in both hardware and usability. At NASCompares, we have covered TerraMaster extensively across reviews, comparisons, and software analysis, helping readers understand where its systems deliver strong value, where they fit in the wider NAS market, and which models are best suited to different workloads. If you choose to buy a TerraMaster NAS through our affiliate links, it will not cost you anything extra, but it does help support NASCompares and allows us to keep producing independent videos, guides, reviews, and ongoing NAS coverage.

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Where to Buy NAS from B&H and Support NASCompares:

Buying a NAS from B&H can be a great option for NASCompares readers, as the retailer regularly carries a wide mix of NAS brands including Synology, QNAP, Asustor, UGREEN, Buffalo, and other storage focused solutions across home, prosumer, and business price points. At NASCompares, we often highlight B&H as a useful place to compare availability across multiple NAS brands in one place, making it easier for buyers to match the right enclosure, drives, and accessories to their needs. If you choose to buy your NAS from B&H through our affiliate links, you will not pay anything extra, but you will be directly helping NASCompares continue its independent videos, reviews, guides, and day to day NAS coverage.

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Where to Buy a ZIMAOS NAS and Support NASCompares:

IceWhale has built a distinctive storage ecosystem around ZimaCube, ZimaOS, ZimaBoard, and ZimaBlade, appealing to home lab users, makers, and NAS enthusiasts who want flexible private cloud and self hosted storage solutions rather than traditional closed box systems. At NASCompares, we have followed the Zima and IceWhale range closely through reviews, interviews, and ongoing coverage, helping readers understand where these products stand out in terms of hardware flexibility, software direction, and DIY appeal in the wider NAS market. If you choose to buy a ZimaCube, ZimaBoard, ZimaBlade, or use related IceWhale links through NASCompares, it will not cost you anything extra, but it does help support our independent videos, guides, reviews, and continued coverage of innovative alternatives in the NAS space.

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GL.iNet KVM devices, including the Comet, Comet PoE, Comet Pro, and Comet 5G, have become increasingly appealing to home lab users, IT professionals, and NAS enthusiasts who need low level remote access to systems for troubleshooting, maintenance, and recovery beyond what standard remote desktop software can provide. At NASCompares, we have followed the GL.iNet KVM range closely through reviews and coverage, helping readers understand where these devices fit into real world server, NAS, and remote management setups, especially for users who want affordable KVM over IP options with modern connectivity features. If you choose to buy a GL.iNet KVM through our affiliate links, it will not cost you anything extra, but it does help support NASCompares and allows us to keep producing independent videos, guides, reviews, and ongoing coverage of useful tools for storage and network users.

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Where to Buy a UnifyDrive NAS and Support NASCompares:

UnifyDrive has carved out a distinctive place in the NAS market with portable and creator focused systems like the UT2 and UP6, aimed at photographers, videographers, and remote professionals who need high speed storage, backup, and sharing outside the limits of a traditional desktop NAS. At NASCompares, we have covered UnifyDrive closely through reviews and ongoing coverage, helping readers understand where these mobile NAS devices stand out in terms of portability, NVMe performance, creator workflows, and real world usability. If you choose to buy a UnifyDrive system through our affiliate links, it will not cost you anything extra, but it does help support NASCompares and allows us to keep producing independent videos, guides, reviews, and continued hands on coverage of innovative storage solutions like this.

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Where to Buy a UnRAID DIY NAS License and Support NASCompares:

Unraid licences are a popular choice for NASCompares readers because they turn a huge range of standard PC and server hardware into flexible NAS, VM, container, and media server systems, with current licence options starting at $49 and scaling to suit different storage builds and long term update needs. At NASCompares, we regularly cover Unraid in guides, comparisons, and installation tutorials, helping users decide whether its mix of storage flexibility, app support, and DIY freedom is the right fit for their setup. If you choose to buy an Unraid licence through our affiliate links, it will not cost you anything extra, but it does help support NASCompares and allows us to keep producing independent videos, guides, reviews, and hands on NAS coverage.

Visit the official UnRAID Store below, or you can support us at NASCompares by purchasing your UnRAID Lincstation NAS on Amazon HERE (it will redirect to your local Amazon store) as the Intel-powered NAS devices include an UnRAID license.

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Where to Buy a PLEX PASS Subscription and Support NASCompares:

Plex Pass remains one of the most popular upgrades for NASCompares readers building a media server, unlocking premium features such as hardware transcoding, downloads, DVR support, and advanced media tools, with current pricing listed by Plex at $6.99 monthly, $69.99 annually, or $249.99 for a lifetime pass. At NASCompares, we regularly cover Plex in buying guides, setup advice, and NAS compatibility discussions, helping users choose the right hardware and understand whether Plex Pass is worth it for their media library and streaming needs. If you choose to buy Plex Pass through our affiliate links, it will not cost you anything extra, but it does help support NASCompares and allows us to keep producing independent videos, guides, reviews, and ongoing coverage for the Plex and NAS community.

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Where to Buy from AliExpress and Support NASCompares:

Visit the official Aliexpress global Store below, or you can support us at NASCompares by purchasing your NAS on Amazon HERE (it will redirect to your local Amazon store) for the same products with a shorter delivery time (most of the time), but a higher price tag.

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Where to Buy a Gl.iNet Travel Router and Support NASCompares:

GL.iNet routers have become increasingly relevant to NASCompares readers thanks to a broad lineup that ranges from compact travel routers like the Beryl and Slate series to home and security focused models such as Flint and Brume, all built around secure networking, VPN features, and flexible OpenWrt based control. At NASCompares, we have covered GL.iNet routers across reviews, comparisons, and first look coverage, helping users understand how these devices fit into travel networking, home lab setups, remote working, and secure access alongside NAS and server hardware. If you choose to buy a GL.iNet router through our affiliate links, it will not cost you anything extra, but it does help support NASCompares and allows us to keep producing independent videos, guides, reviews, and ongoing coverage for storage and network enthusiasts.

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Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

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Chaque année, le 31 mars marque le World Backup Day. Et comme souvent, le message reste le même mais toujours trop peu suivi. Car oui, même en 2026, la majorité des utilisateurs continue de sous-estimer le risque de perte de données. Pourtant la question est simple : que se passerait-il si vous perdiez tout demain matin ?

Une menace bien réelle (et souvent ignorée)

Panne matérielle, vol, ransomware, erreur humaine ou même indisponibilité d’un service cloud : les scénarios ne manquent pas. Vos photos, documents professionnels, fichiers personnels… tout peut disparaître en quelques secondes.

Les chiffres parlent d’eux-mêmes :

• 30 % des utilisateurs n’ont jamais réalisé de sauvegarde ;
• 70 % des pannes de disque dur surviennent sans prévenir ;
• 60 % des entreprises victimes d’une perte majeure ferment dans les 6 mois.

Malgré cela, beaucoup continuent de repousser l’échéance.

Le piège du “tout Cloud”

Le Cloud est aujourd’hui omniprésent. Pratique, automatique, accessible partout… mais loin d’être infaillible. Sans connexion Internet, vos données deviennent inaccessibles. Et en cas de problème côté fournisseur (panne, restriction, suppression de compte), vous perdez également le contrôle. Une stratégie de sauvegarde ne doit jamais dépendre d’un seul support.

Le retour du stockage local

Face à ces limites, le stockage local retrouve tout son sens. Disque dur externe, NAS… ces solutions offrent plusieurs avantages concrets :

• accès immédiat, sans Internet ;
• contrôle total des données ;
• vitesses de transfert élevées ;
• coût maîtrisé (pas d’abonnement).

Mais attention : un disque dur seul ne suffit pas. Lui aussi peut tomber en panne ou disparaître.

La seule méthode fiable : la règle du 3-2-1

La meilleure protection reste une stratégie structurée. La règle du 3-2-1 est aujourd’hui la référence :

• 3 copies de vos données ;
• 2 supports différents (ex : disque dur + Cloud) ;
• 1 sauvegarde hors site.

C’est simple, efficace, et surtout indispensable.

Sauvegarder, c’est bien. Vérifier, c’est mieux

Une erreur fréquente consiste à penser qu’une sauvegarde fonctionne… sans jamais la tester. Or, une sauvegarde corrompue ou incomplète ne sert à rien. Prenez le temps de vérifier régulièrement vos fichiers. Ouvrez-les, restaurez-les, assurez-vous qu’ils sont exploitables.

Le bon moment, c’est maintenant

Le World Backup Day 2026 n’est pas qu’un rappel symbolique. C’est une opportunité concrète de mettre en place (ou corriger) votre stratégie de sauvegarde. Car dans ce domaine, il n’y a qu’une certitude : ceux qui pensent être à l’abri… sont souvent ceux qui n’ont rien prévu.

Ne laissez pas le hasard décider pour vous : sauvegardez, testez… et dormez tranquille.

Synology continue de faire évoluer son positionnement avec son BeeStation Plus. Initialement pensée comme une solution de stockage ultra simplifiée, elle se rapproche désormais clairement des NAS traditionnels de la marque avec l’arrivée de BeeCamera. Une évolution stratégique qui réduit progressivement la frontière entre les deux gammes.

BeeStation adopte les codes des NAS Synology

Historiquement, la vidéosurveillance chez Synology reposait sur Surveillance Station, une plateforme reconnue pour sa robustesse et ses fonctionnalités avancées. Avec l’application BeeCamera, Synology transpose une partie de cette expertise vers un public plus large. Le positionnement change, BeeStation n’est plus seulement un « Cloud personnel », elle devient une solution polyvalente intégrant stockage, gestion de fichiers, photos et désormais surveillance vidéo. En clair, il emprunte de plus en plus aux capacités des NAS historiques…

Surveillance locale accessible sans complexité

BeeCamera permet de gérer jusqu’à 4 caméras avec des fonctionnalités essentielles :

• détection intelligente (personnes, animaux, véhicules, intrusions) ;
• alertes en temps réel ;
• zones de détection personnalisables ;
• planification des enregistrements ;
• gestion intelligente de la rétention.

Les flux vidéos sont stockés localement sur la BeeStation Plus (animé par un processeur Intel J4125 et épaulé par 4 Go de RAM), sans dépendance au Cloud. Cette approche garantit un meilleur contrôle des données, un point fort déjà central chez Synology avec ses NAS traditionnels. L’application propose une timeline d’événements facile pour naviguer rapidement dans les enregistrements, avec la possibilité de verrouiller certaines séquences importantes.

Expérience simplifiée, mais moins limitée

Synology conserve ici son approche plug-and-play, avec une installation rapide et une interface accessible. La compatibilité avec les caméras CC400W, BC500 et TC500 permet de construire un système cohérent sans configuration complexe.

Le partage des flux avec jusqu’à 8 utilisateurs confirme également une orientation vers des usages familiaux ou pour les petites entreprises.

Une convergence assumée

L’arrivée de BeeCamera marque une étape importante : la distinction entre BeeStation et les NAS Synology devient de plus en plus floue. Là où la gamme Bee visait la simplicité au détriment des fonctionnalités avancées, elle intègre désormais des briques historiquement réservées aux NAS. Cette convergence reste toutefois partielle. BeeCamera est limité à la BeeStation Plus, la version la plus puissante avec ses 8 To de stockage, laissant de côté le modèle standard et ses 4 To.

À terme, Synology semble tester une nouvelle approche : démocratiser ses technologies clés dans des produits accessibles, tout en conservant ses NAS traditionnels pour les usages avancés. Une stratégie qui pourrait redéfinir l’entrée de gamme du stockage et de la surveillance personnelle.

100 Reasons DIY NAS (TrueNAS, UnRAID, Proxmox) are BETTER than Turnkey (Synology/QNAP/etc)

Plenty of people who start with Synology, QNAP or other turnkey NAS boxes will quietly admit that they keep hearing the siren call of DIY platforms like TrueNAS, Unraid, Proxmox, OpenMediaVault and ZimaOS. They see the videos, the benchmarks and the insane builds that squeeze every last drop out of consumer and ex-enterprise hardware. No one is pretending that turnkey systems are not convenient or polished, but more and more users are realising that the raw control, scalability and flexibility you get from rolling your own NAS can be worth the extra effort. In 2025 it is easier than ever to grab a used server, a pile of drives and a USB stick and end up with something that outperforms many branded appliances, both in speed and long term value. So, below are 100 reasons why users decide to jump ship from the safe, curated and sometimes expensive world of turnkey NAS, and instead join the more open, powerful and endlessly customisable world of DIY storage. Some points are very homelab focused, others are about cost and longevity, and some are specific to individual platforms such as TrueNAS ZFS, Unraid parity arrays or Proxmox clustering.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER – Different tools suit different tasks! I use both DIY and Turnkey Solutions in my own personal/work data storage environments (as well as a little bit of DAS and even some off site cloud!),. This article is not designed to ‘attack’ or ‘slag off’ one side of the home server market over another! It is to help understand why users might choose one over the other. Not disimilar in some ways to how some people prefer PC gaming vs Console gaming (or even exclusively mobile, though even struggle to wrap my head around that one!).

1. Full control over your hardware

With TrueNAS, Unraid, ZimaOS, Proxmox or OMV you choose everything yourself, from CPU and RAM to motherboard, HBA, NIC, case and power supply. You are not restricted to a small list of approved chassis and expansion units, so you can build around quiet small form factor systems, big tower rigs, or used rack servers depending on your needs and budget.

2. No vendor lock on drives

DIY NAS platforms let you use almost any SATA or SAS drive you like, including shucked external drives and mixed brands. There are no vendor media lists, no compatibility warnings that nag you for using third party disks, and no artificial limits that push you toward expensive branded drives.

3. Advanced file system features

TrueNAS and some other DIY platforms give you direct access to ZFS features such as copy on write integrity, end to end checksums, compression, snapshots, clones and send or receive replication. You can design datasets and snapshot schedules exactly as you want rather than relying on simplified abstractions.

4. Flexible storage layouts and mixed disk sizes

Unraid and ZFS based DIY stacks allow non traditional layouts, with mixed disk sizes, parity only arrays, mirror vdevs, striped vdevs and multiple pools. You can start small and grow over time without following the fixed bay patterns or limited RAID options of many turnkey systems.

5. Deep performance tuning

DIY NAS operating systems usually expose more dials for memory usage, cache behaviour, record sizes, sync policy, queue depths and network stack tuning. Power users can squeeze more throughput or lower latency from the same hardware by testing and adjusting these settings, something appliance firmware often hides.

6. Multi role server in one box

A DIY NAS can be more than just storage. With Proxmox, Unraid, ZimaOS or OMV plus a hypervisor you can run VMs, containers, network services and lab workloads on the same system. This suits homelab users who want their storage server to double as a general purpose compute node.

7. Better use of high end or unusual components

If you invest in many core CPUs, large amounts of RAM, enterprise NVMe or special purpose HBAs, DIY platforms can take full advantage of them. You are not limited by a turnkey vendor firmware that assumes mid range hardware and sometimes underuses powerful components.

8. Lower cost at large scale

Once you move beyond a handful of bays, appliance NAS pricing climbs quickly. Building a DIY NAS with commodity parts or refurbished enterprise gear often gives you a much lower cost per bay and a cheaper upgrade path over five to ten years, especially for media servers and backup targets.

9. Reuse of existing hardware

Many people already have a spare gaming PC, workstation or decommissioned server. DIY NAS software lets you repurpose that hardware rather than buying a completely new appliance. You can then gradually replace parts over time without throwing the whole system away.

10. Independence from vendor roadmaps

With TrueNAS, Unraid, Proxmox or OMV you are not tied to one company product line or release schedule. If a vendor drops a feature, changes licensing, or stops making a class of device, your DIY stack keeps going and you can add or swap components as you see fit.

11. Open source transparency and auditability

Many DIY NAS platforms are open source or based on open distributions. You can inspect the code, follow public issue trackers, and see exactly how data path and management components behave. For organisations with strong security requirements this transparency can be more attractive than opaque appliance firmware.

12. Rich community plugin and container ecosystem

TrueNAS, Unraid, Proxmox and OMV all have active communities that publish templates, stacks and guides for a huge range of self hosted services. New applications usually appear first as containers or community charts, so you can experiment with cutting edge projects long before they arrive in any vendor app store.

13. Clean integration with existing homelab tools

If you already use tools such as Ansible, Terraform, Salt, Proxmox clusters, or Kubernetes, a DIY NAS fits into that world more naturally. It behaves like another Linux or BSD server, so you can reuse automation, monitoring, and configuration patterns that you already trust.

14. Freedom from feature based licensing

DIY platforms generally do not charge extra for adding more cameras, shares, users or applications. If your hardware can handle twenty containers or twenty camera streams, you can run them without buying more licences. That is very different from some turnkey systems where extra features are tightly controlled.

15. Strong privacy control and no enforced cloud accounts

TrueNAS, Unraid, ZimaOS, Proxmox and OMV can all run fully local with no requirement to create cloud accounts or sign in to a vendor portal. You choose if you want remote access and which VPN or reverse proxy you trust, so it is easier to keep storage isolated from external services.

16. Powerful scripting and automation options

Because DIY NAS software sits on standard Linux or BSD layers, you can use cron, systemd timers, full shell scripting and language runtimes such as Python or Go. Backup pipelines, integrity checks, archiving rules and housekeeping tasks can be scripted exactly as you need them.

17. Better fit for larger and denser builds

If you want twenty four, thirty six or more bays, DIY approaches scale more smoothly. You can use dedicated JBOD shelves, fibre or SAS expanders, and multiple HBAs, with TrueNAS or Proxmox managing pools across them. Many consumer appliances run out of official options long before that point.

18. Easier experimentation with new technologies

DIY platforms are ideal for lab work with new storage ideas, for example experimental ZFS features, new compression algorithms, alternative filesystems or clustered storage layers such as Ceph and Gluster. You can try these on real hardware without waiting for a turnkey vendor to embrace them.

19. Ability to virtualise the NAS itself

A DIY NAS stack can sit inside a virtual machine on top of Proxmox, VMware or another hypervisor. That makes it easier to move the entire storage system between hosts, snapshot the system disk, test upgrades in clones, or run multiple separate NAS instances on the same physical hardware.

21. Alignment with strict open source or compliance policies

Some companies and institutions prefer or require that core infrastructure runs on software with open licensing and source availability. DIY NAS stacks based on standard Linux or BSD distributions make it easier to satisfy those policies than closed vendor operating systems.

22. Efficient use of decommissioned enterprise hardware

The secondary market is full of cheap rack servers, HBAs and SAS shelves that are no longer wanted in data centres but are perfect for home or small business storage. TrueNAS, Proxmox and OMV can run happily on this hardware and give you enterprise level resilience for a fraction of the original cost.

23. Custom network roles on the same machine

A DIY NAS can also act as router, firewall, VPN concentrator or reverse proxy if you want to consolidate equipment. Proxmox or Unraid can host a firewall VM, DNS resolver and other network tools right next to your storage, which is not how most turnkey NAS devices are designed to be used.

24. Fine grained control of encryption and keys

DIY platforms usually let you decide exactly how encryption is applied, how keys are stored, how passphrases are entered and how this interacts with snapshots and replication. You can integrate with external key managers or strict manual processes rather than using a one size fits all wizard.

25. Easier avoidance of telemetry and phone home behaviour

If you want a storage stack that never connects to any remote service unless you deliberately configure it, DIY software is easier to keep quiet. You can review services, outgoing connections and packages yourself, instead of relying on a vendor to document what their appliance firmware does.

26. Flexible data retention and tiering schemes

Because you control the hierarchy of datasets, shares and pools, you can implement very detailed retention rules and archiving flows. Cold data can move to slower and cheaper disks, hot data can live on SSD pools, and you can enforce lifecycles with your own scripts instead of fixed vendor policies.

27. Shared skillset across storage and compute

When your storage servers and application servers all run similar bases, for example Debian or FreeBSD, the same administration knowledge applies everywhere. Teams do not need to learn a unique vendor interface for one box and a completely different approach for the rest of the estate.

28. Support for niche and emerging services

DIY NAS ecosystems often adopt new projects quickly, whether that is a young media server, a fresh photo tool, or an unusual database. Community templates for Unraid or Proxmox arrive much faster than official packages on proprietary platforms, so you can explore niche services early.

29. Long term reuse of hardware for other roles

If your storage needs change, a DIY NAS box can become a general server, a lab hypervisor or a test bench machine simply by reinstalling or repurposing the disks. You are not stuck with a chassis that only really makes sense as a proprietary NAS.

30. Lean installations without extra bloat

DIY stacks can be installed in a minimal way with only the services you actually need. There is no requirement to run vendor photo portals, cloud connectors or bundled office tools if you do not want them, which keeps resource use low and reduces the attack surface.

31. Granular control over updates and versions

DIY NAS platforms usually let you decide exactly when to update the core system, plugins and containers. You can hold a known good version for months, run a newer kernel only on a test VM, or pin specific containers while the rest of the stack moves forward, instead of accepting a single vendor update cadence across everything.

32. Ability to run several NAS platforms on one machine

With Proxmox or similar hypervisors you can run TrueNAS in one VM, Unraid in another and maybe a plain Linux storage stack beside them, all on the same hardware. This lets you compare platforms, migrate gradually or dedicate different virtual NAS instances to different clients without buying multiple appliances.

33. Deep visibility for troubleshooting and performance analysis

DIY systems expose full system logs, kernel messages, packet captures and low level profiling tools. When you hit a strange performance issue or network glitch you can drill right down into iostat, tcpdump or perf, rather than relying only on a high level vendor dashboard that may not reveal the root cause.

34. Configuration managed like code in Git

Because most DIY NAS configurations live in text or structured files, you can store them in Git, review changes, roll back to older commits and clone the same setup onto another node. This aligns your storage servers with modern configuration management practices instead of keeping all changes on a single vendor GUI.

35. Option to extend or maintain abandoned components

If a plugin, driver or feature you rely on is dropped by its original maintainer, an open DIY stack at least gives you the option to fork and maintain it or hire someone to do so. With a closed appliance firmware, once the vendor removes or changes a feature you generally have no way to bring it back.

36. Freedom to fully rebrand or white label

Service providers that build solutions for clients can install TrueNAS, Proxmox or OMV on standard hardware and theme the interfaces, hostnames and portals to match their own brand. There is no prominent third party logo on the front of the GUI, which is often preferable when you are selling a complete solution.

37. Direct choice of monitoring and alerting stack

DIY NAS servers can run native agents for Prometheus, Zabbix, Checkmk, commercial monitoring suites and whatever log pipeline you already use. You do not have to rely on a vendor specific cloud portal or proprietary alert format, so storage monitoring fits seamlessly into the rest of your infrastructure.

38. Support for unusual hardware form factors

Because you can install DIY NAS software on almost anything that runs a suitable kernel, it is easier to use very compact systems, blade servers, dense JBOD trays or custom builds that no turnkey NAS vendor offers. This flexibility is valuable when you have physical constraints or leftover hardware that does not match appliance shapes.

39. Full control over repositories and software sources

On a DIY stack you decide which package repositories are trusted, whether you mirror them locally and which versions are allowed. This is useful in secure environments that need all software to come from internal mirrors and want to block any unapproved external package feeds.

40. Faster access to new kernel and protocol features

New SMB or NFS versions, fresh filesystems, driver updates and network features typically land on general purpose Linux or BSD first. DIY platforms that stay close to upstream can adopt these improvements long before a NAS vendor ships them in a future firmware for a specific appliance.

41. Stronger learning value and career skills

Running TrueNAS, Unraid, Proxmox or OMV teaches real storage, networking and operating system concepts. Many homelab users treat their DIY NAS as a training ground, and the knowledge they gain with ZFS, KVM, Docker and Linux often translates directly into professional roles in IT and DevOps.

42. Better use of GPUs and accelerators

DIY NAS systems can use almost any supported GPU or accelerator card for tasks such as Plex transcoding, AI workloads, video processing or scientific computing. You can pass devices through to VMs or containers and tune them as you like, instead of being restricted to a short list of vendor approved cards.

43. True multi tenant storage on a single chassis

With Proxmox or other hypervisors you can run several separate NAS VMs for different customers or departments on one physical box, each with its own web UI, users and policies. This multi tenant approach is attractive for managed service providers and is harder to implement cleanly on a single turnkey NAS.

44. Custom identity and multifactor authentication integration

DIY NAS environments can tie directly into whatever identity stack you prefer, from simple LDAP through to complex single sign on with custom multifactor rules. You can adopt advanced access controls or experiment with new identity providers without waiting for a NAS vendor to support them.

45. Alignment with strict internal security tooling

Organisations that already use SELinux, AppArmor, central audit frameworks or host based intrusion detection can apply the same policies to DIY storage nodes. A TrueNAS or Proxmox box that runs on a standard distribution can join existing security baselines, which is much harder with proprietary NAS firmware.

46. Support for exotic and high performance networking

DIY NAS stacks can use specialist network cards such as Infiniband, RoCE capable adapters or unusual fibre interfaces as long as the drivers exist. This allows you to experiment with very high throughput or low latency technologies that are rarely supported on commodity appliance NAS hardware.

47. Custom backup and replication pipelines

With tools like ZFS send and receive, rclone, Restic or Borg you can build very specific backup and replication flows. You can script encryption, throttling, snapshot selection and multiple targets in a way that fits your environment instead of being limited to the fixed policies of one vendor backup tool.

48. Colocation friendly and data center ready

DIY NAS builds can follow data center norms such as using standard rack servers, redundant power supplies, remote management controllers and IPv6 heavy networks. Colocation providers expect this type of hardware, and DIY software lets your storage blend into a standard server fleet rather than being an odd office appliance.

49. Fine grained admin delegation at operating system level

On a DIY NAS you can use normal user, group and sudo rules with SSH keys to control who can run which commands. One person can manage pools, another can manage virtual machines, another can handle monitoring agents, all with precise restrictions that go beyond the coarse admin or user split of many appliances.

50. Integration with dynamic energy and solar setups

Because DIY NAS software can talk to external APIs and home automation systems, you can schedule heavy tasks such as scrubs, backups or transcoding to run when solar output is high or electricity tariffs are low. This kind of energy aware behaviour is difficult to achieve with fixed vendor power schedules.

51. Deep home automation and MQTT integration

DIY storage nodes can publish events into MQTT, Node Red or Home Assistant whenever backups finish, disks fail or space runs low, and can also respond to automation signals from the rest of the house. This lets your NAS participate in a wider automation fabric rather than living as an isolated appliance.

52. Use of enterprise secrets management for keys and passwords

DIY NAS servers can fetch encryption keys, passwords and API tokens from systems such as HashiCorp Vault or other corporate secret stores. That allows central management and rotation of sensitive data instead of keeping secrets inside a proprietary NAS configuration database.

53. Network boot and golden image strategies

You can build a standard disk image or network boot environment for your DIY NAS with all tooling and configuration baked in. If the system disk fails or you want to spin up a second node, you simply redeploy the image and reattach the existing storage pools, which is a very different model from appliance firmware.

54. Validation of changes through continuous integration

When configuration lives in files managed in Git, you can run linting and simulation jobs in a CI pipeline before applying changes to your DIY NAS servers. This allows you to catch syntax errors or bad parameters automatically, which is impossible when all edits happen only through a click driven vendor interface.

55. Custom user interfaces and portals on top of APIs

DIY stacks expose command line tools and often REST APIs that allow you to build your own lightweight dashboards for particular users or teams. You can present a simplified view for media editors, a different one for backup operators, and keep the full complexity of the base system hidden in the background.

56. Tailored localisation and language choices

If the default language or terminology of the platform does not suit your users, you can adjust translation files or web templates on a DIY system. Community contributions in minority languages are also easier to ship and maintain than on a closed vendor NAS where only official translations exist.

57. Customised drive qualification and burn in workflows

You can design a strict process for testing new disks, for example running multi day read and write passes, specific SMART tests and temperature checks before a drive ever joins a pool. Scripts and reports can enforce this burn in policy across all your DIY NAS nodes, something turnkey platforms rarely expose in detail.

58. Robust behaviour in extreme or niche environments

In vehicles, ships, remote cabins or unstable power conditions you may need unusual behaviours such as aggressive throttling at certain temperatures, logging to serial consoles or special shutdown routines. DIY software gives you the hooks to script and tune these reactions in ways that appliance firmware does not anticipate.

59. Clean integration with formal change management processes

Organisations with strict change control can insist that all NAS configuration changes arrive through reviewed pull requests and automated deployment tools. A DIY NAS whose configuration is driven by code fits smoothly into this world, whereas an appliance managed only through a browser is harder to audit and control.

60. Easy experimentation with clustered storage technologies

If you want to explore scale out storage such as Ceph, Gluster or other distributed systems, DIY hardware and open platforms are the most practical route. You can repurpose existing nodes into a cluster, test resilience and performance characteristics, and later reuse those machines for other lab work if requirements change.

61. Easier long term data salvage and portability

With DIY platforms such as TrueNAS, Unraid, ZimaOS, Proxmox and OMV, the on disk formats and pool layouts are widely documented and used in many contexts. If a motherboard dies in several years, you can move the disks to new hardware, reinstall the same software and import the pools, instead of hunting for an identical appliance or vendor recovery tool.

62. Broader protocol support and deeper tuning

DIY NAS software lets you expose storage over SMB, NFS, iSCSI, rsync modules, sometimes NVMe over TCP and more, with detailed control of versions, encryption, timeouts and caching. You can tune each protocol for a specific workload instead of accepting whatever subset and presets a turnkey vendor offers.

63. Custom hooks on file and dataset operations

Because you control the base system, you can attach your own scripts when files are written, moved or deleted in particular locations. That allows automatic virus scanning, metadata extraction, indexing, transcoding or business workflows that trigger whenever content changes, rather than relying only on built in features.

64. Comfortable operation with serial console and no local screen

DIY NAS platforms are happy on machines that have only serial console or out of band management with no HDMI or local keyboard. This matches how many server rooms and colocation racks actually work and lets you manage storage over low bandwidth links without any graphical tools if needed.

65. More compression and deduplication options per dataset

ZFS based DIY systems allow you to choose different compression algorithms and record sizes per dataset and to enable or disable deduplication only where it makes sense. You can optimise for databases, media archives or virtual machines individually rather than living with a single vendor setting for an entire volume.

66. Clear separation of storage and management planes

On a DIY NAS you can keep the storage node lean and run most of the management logic on other servers through SSH, APIs or orchestration tools. The storage device can behave as a focused data plane while the control plane lives elsewhere, which is attractive in environments that want very thin appliances.

67. Community culture that embraces experimentation

The forums and communities around TrueNAS, Unraid, Proxmox and OMV are full of people who enjoy deep technical dives, benchmarks and off label use cases. For homelab users and engineers that culture can feel more welcoming than vendor moderated communities that discourage unsupported combinations.

68. Reuse of one reference design across home, lab and office

Once you settle on a particular DIY stack and layout, you can repeat the same design at home, at work and in test environments with only minor changes. Automation scripts, monitoring templates and backup strategies can be shared almost unchanged between all these machines.

69. Neutral target for testing third party backup strategies

A DIY NAS can act as a neutral storage target for many different backup products and appliances from other vendors. You can point various commercial systems at the same TrueNAS or Proxmox storage, then compare how they behave for restore, versioning and verification, something that is harder when your main storage is itself a fixed vendor appliance.

70. No hard limits on shares, datasets or exports

DIY platforms rarely impose artificial limits on the number of datasets, snapshots, exports or shares you can create. As long as the underlying system can handle it, you can build very granular layouts for different teams, applications and projects without hitting a model based cap.

71. Better fit for reproducible research environments

In academic or scientific work, it is often important that another team can rebuild the same stack years later. A DIY NAS with configuration stored in code and based on standard distributions can be recreated on any suitable hardware, which supports reproducible experiments and shared lab setups.

72. Combination of storage and high performance computing

In some labs and studios the same physical machines are used both for heavy compute work and for fast local storage. DIY NAS software can happily coexist with HPC toolchains and schedulers on the same hardware, allowing you to run compute workloads close to the data without separate appliances.

73. Precise control of time and clock integration

DIY platforms give full access to NTP, Precision Time Protocol and kernel timing controls. For environments where consistent timing is critical, such as finance, measurement systems or some industrial setups, the storage node can participate in the same strict time hierarchy as the rest of the infrastructure.

74. Better support for unusual backup and archival devices

If you need to attach tape libraries, optical jukeboxes or rare archival devices, a DIY NAS running a general purpose operating system is more likely to support them. You can install the required drivers and tools for these devices rather than waiting for a turnkey vendor to recognise them.

75. Ideal for storage that is a pure backend service

Some administrators want their storage nodes to be invisible to end users and to present only block or file protocols to other systems. DIY NAS installations can be trimmed down to offer only SMB, NFS, iSCSI or object storage with no media portals or user apps, which suits this backend only role very well.

76. Flexible data transformation and ingestion pipelines

Because you can run whatever tools and containers you like, a DIY NAS can also host data transformation jobs. For example, you can receive raw data, clean it, compress it, encrypt it and then push it to cloud storage or another site, all driven by your own scripts and schedules.

77. Reduced reliance on any single vendor decision

With DIY platforms you are not waiting for one company to decide which media codecs, hardware accelerators or remote access features are allowed. If a particular vendor chooses a direction you dislike, you can still adopt the tools and configurations that suit you within your own stack.

78. No forced hardware replacement at support end dates

When a commercial NAS model reaches the vendor end of support, users are often encouraged to buy a new box even if the hardware is still reliable. With DIY storage you can keep updating the operating system on the same machine for as long as the components remain healthy, decoupling software support from hardware marketing cycles.

79. Good fit for very lean remote management

In remote or bandwidth constrained locations, being able to manage the NAS entirely with text tools and small configuration files is valuable. DIY platforms let you perform upgrades, configuration changes and even troubleshooting over slow links without relying on heavy web interfaces.

80. Custom quality of service tied to processes and containers

On DIY systems you can use native resource controllers to limit bandwidth, CPU time or IOPS per container, process group or user. This makes it possible to enforce complex quality of service rules that prioritise critical workloads while still allowing experimental services to run in the background.

81. Strong separation between data layout and hardware chassis

With pools and datasets defined at the software level, you can move storage from one chassis to another or rebalance between servers without changing how applications see their paths. This separation makes it easier to evolve the physical layer over time while keeping logical layout stable.

82. Use as a standard test bench for vendor devices

A DIY NAS environment can act as a standard reference platform when you test routers, backup appliances or other network gear. Because it is not tied to one brand, it is easier to observe how third party devices behave when they read and write to a known stable storage backend.

83. Ability to layer multiple security models

DIY stacks allow you to combine filesystem permissions, network firewalls, container isolation, mandatory access control frameworks and external identity providers in creative ways. You are not limited to the single security model that a turnkey NAS interface exposes, which allows more nuanced defence in depth.

84. Fine control over logging and audit detail

You can configure exactly what is logged, where logs are stored and how long they are kept, from kernel messages to application events. Logs can be shipped to central collectors in formats that match your existing observability stack, making compliance and forensic analysis simpler.

85. Tailored behaviour for backup and disaster drills

DIY platforms can be wired into automated disaster simulations, where systems are repeatedly torn down and rebuilt to prove that recovery works. Storage configurations can be recreated from code, pools imported and test data restored on a schedule, instead of relying on manual wizard driven tests.

86. Ability to swap out components in the software stack over time

Over the lifetime of a DIY NAS, you can replace almost every layer: change the init system, switch to a different web interface, adopt a new container engine or even move from one DIY distribution to another while keeping the same pools. This modularity keeps the platform adaptable as tastes and technology change.

87. Better fit for organisations that avoid proprietary formats

Some organisations have policies against storing important data in formats that depend on closed code or single vendor tools. DIY NAS solutions using standard filesystems and open source utilities are easier to justify under these rules than appliances that use proprietary volume managers and configuration stores.

88. Helpful for education and training labs

Training providers and universities can deploy DIY NAS stacks inside virtual environments so that students can break, repair and rebuild storage systems without touching production gear. The same images can be reset between classes, giving learners realistic hands on experience at low cost.

89. Capacity to follow very specific legal or regulatory rules

In some jurisdictions or industries, unusual requirements appear, such as special retention schedules, local encryption standards or niche logging rules. DIY NAS environments can be scripted to satisfy these specific requirements even when no turnkey NAS vendor has considered them.

90. Natural choice when mixing many self hosted applications

If you already run a wide range of self hosted tools in containers or VMs, adding storage duties to that world with DIY software keeps everything consistent. The NAS simply becomes another service in the same orchestration fabric rather than a separate product with its own way of doing things.

91. Easier experimentation with new network filesystems

When new network filesystem projects appear, such as experimental user space protocols or research systems, they nearly always target Linux and BSD first. A DIY NAS gives you a platform to test these technologies for specific problems, long before any commercial vendor would consider supporting them.

92. Ability to enforce very conservative update policies

Some organisations prefer to update only once or twice a year after extensive internal testing. DIY NAS stacks allow you to freeze versions and postpone upgrades until you have validated them, instead of accepting automatic firmware updates that may change behaviour on the vendor schedule.

93. Better suitability for mixed licence environments

If you already pay for certain commercial tools but want the storage layer to stay licence free, DIY approaches give you that mix. You can run proprietary database or backup software while keeping the underlying storage platform open and under your control.

94. Simple way to expose standard development environments next to data

With Proxmox or similar platforms you can spin up development VMs or containers right next to the storage that holds source code and artefacts. Developers can work close to large repositories and test data without hauling everything over the network, using the NAS as both storage and dev host.

95. Easier to integrate with custom dashboards and reporting systems

Because DIY NAS boxes export metrics in standard ways or can run your own collectors, it is straightforward to feed storage statistics into company specific dashboards and reports. You can show exactly the charts and summaries that matter for your audience instead of relying on whatever reporting screens a vendor includes.

96. Straightforward reuse of disks in other systems if needed

If your plans change, you can remove disks from a DIY NAS, wipe or repurpose them in other servers without dealing with vendor specific metadata or compatibility warnings. The drives are just drives, not part of an opaque appliance ecosystem that expects to keep them forever.

97. Good platform for testing security tools and hardening guides

A DIY NAS can serve as a lab for experimenting with new security scanners, vulnerability assessment tools and hardening recommendations before you roll them out to production servers. You can observe how these changes affect a real storage workload and adjust accordingly.

98. Realistic environment for practising incident response

Because you control every part of the stack, you can simulate failures, intrusions or misconfigurations on a DIY NAS and then practise your incident response procedure. This kind of training is harder with commercial appliances where you cannot fully control or inspect all layers.

99. Freedom to keep legacy protocols alive while you migrate

In some environments you still need to support older protocols for a while, for example legacy SMB dialects or older NFS versions. DIY NAS systems let you keep these services available during migration while still offering modern protocols to new clients, with careful isolation where needed.

100. Serves as a long lived foundation independent of brand trends

Vendors come and go, change direction or pivot to new markets, but the core technologies behind DIY NAS platforms have existed for decades and are used in many places beyond home storage. Building on that foundation means your data and workflows are less tied to the fashion of any particular hardware brand.

---

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Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

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Infuse 8.4 vient améliorer l’expérience de streaming local avec l’arrivée des bonus, du saut automatique des intros et d’un moteur vidéo optimisé. Une mise à jour clé pour les utilisateurs iPhone, iPad, Apple TV et Mac. Rentrons immédiatement dans le vif du sujet…

Infuse 8.4 : bonus enfin intégrés

Infuse 8.4 améliore l’expérience utilisateur avec l’arrivée des bonus (contenus locaux). Désormais, vous pouvez retrouver les scènes coupées, bandes-annonces ou documentaires sur la page d’un film ou d’une série.

Cela permet d’offrir une navigation plus fluide et une immersion renforcée dans votre bibliothèque.

Skip automatique : intros, crédits et récaps

Le binge-watching devient plus confortable avec le saut automatique des intros, crédits et résumés. Ce système repose sur des bases de données collaboratives comme IntroDB.app et TheIntroDB.org (inspirée de TMDB).

Les utilisateurs peuvent aussi contribuer en ajoutant des timestamps, améliorant la précision du service :

• Activation automatique ou manuelle ;
• Compatible avec tous les types de sources ;
• Paramétrable selon vos préférences.

Résultat, vous avez moins d’interruptions…

Favoris sur tous les appareils Apple

Jusqu’ici limitée à l’Apple TV, la gestion des favoris est désormais disponible sur tout l’écosystème Apple.

Vous avez accès un niveau de personnalisation avancé :

• Épingler vos dossiers ou catégories ;
• Organiser l’affichage selon vos usages ;
• Masquer la section pour une interface plus épurée.

Vous avez donc un accès rapide à vos contenus préférés.

Moteur vidéo encore plus performant

Le cœur technique de lecture d’Infuse a été entièrement optimisé. Cette mise à jour améliore :

• la stabilité générale du lecteur ;
• la compatibilité avec de nombreux formats ;
• les performances globales.

À noter l’ajout du support du codec VVC (H.266), encore peu répandu mais appelé à se démocratiser. Pour l’instant, son décodage reste logiciel, ce qui peut impacter les performances selon les appareils. Pour en savoir plus, rendez-vous sur la page officielle…

En synthèse

Avec cette version 8.4, Infuse renforce clairement son positionnement face aux solutions de streaming traditionnelles. L’application mise sur l’automatisation, la centralisation et la performance pour séduire les utilisateurs exigeants. Sans révolutionner l’application, cette dernière s’enrichit avec :

• Expérience enrichie avec les bonus :
• Binge-watching optimisé avec le skip automatique ;
• Interface personnalisable avec les favoris ;
• Performances boostées et support de codecs récents.

Une mise à jour cohérente qui devrait améliorer l’usage au quotidien…

source

45Homelab and UnRAID NAS Software Combined

Unraid and 45HomeLab have entered into a partnership focused on delivering prebuilt systems designed around Unraid, with 45HomeLab drawing on the wider hardware background connected to 45Drives and Protocase. Based on the public announcement and the clarification provided by Unraid, the collaboration is being framed as a home lab and prosumer focused offering rather than an enterprise initiative, with the emphasis placed on validated hardware, upgradeable designs, local data ownership, and a simpler route for users who want a ready made Unraid system without having to source and test each part on their own.

Who Are 45Drives?

45Drives is a North American storage hardware company best known for building large capacity data storage and compute systems, with much of its reputation coming from deployments aimed at organizations rather than casual consumer buyers. The company is closely associated with Protocase, which provides the manufacturing base behind its hardware, and over time it has become known for emphasizing practical, serviceable system design instead of tightly closed appliance style products. Its broader identity has generally been tied to storage infrastructure for research environments, institutional buyers, enterprise deployments, and government related use cases, particularly where buyers value high drive density, open platform thinking, and hardware that can be maintained over a long service life rather than treated as disposable.

That background matters here because 45HomeLab does not appear in isolation, but instead comes from the same wider engineering and manufacturing ecosystem that established the 45Drives name. In practical terms, that gives context to why the partnership materials place such a strong focus on chassis construction, replaceable components, repairability, and long term upgrade paths. At the same time, the distinction between 45Drives and 45HomeLab remains important. 45Drives is the more established name connected with professional and organizational hardware, while 45HomeLab is the consumer oriented brand being used for this partnership with Unraid. That separation helps explain why the collaboration is being presented as a home lab and prosumer solution, rather than as a move by Unraid into enterprise infrastructure.

Who are UnRAID?

Unraid is a server operating system developed by Lime Technology, with its origins going back to 2005. It initially gained attention for a storage model that allowed users to combine drives of different sizes more flexibly than many traditional RAID based systems, while also reducing the need to keep every disk active at all times. Over the years, the platform has developed beyond file storage into a broader self hosting environment that supports containers, virtual machines, application hosting, and centralized management from a single interface. That combination has made it particularly relevant to home lab users, media server owners, and small operators who want a single machine to handle several different roles without the complexity often associated with enterprise storage platforms.

Its position in the market is shaped less by raw hardware manufacturing and more by software flexibility and community adoption. Unraid is generally associated with users who want direct control over their own data and services, but who also want a system that is more accessible than building and maintaining everything from scratch. In practice, that has placed it in a middle ground between consumer NAS products on one side and fully custom Linux based server setups on the other. Within this partnership, Unraid brings the software environment, workload focus, and user base, while 45HomeLab brings the physical system design and hardware validation. That division of roles is central to understanding why the partnership is being presented as a practical product collaboration rather than simply a branding exercise.

Why is this a good idea?

The main case for this partnership is that it addresses a common weak point in the self hosting market: software and hardware are often chosen separately, leaving the buyer to work through compatibility, firmware behavior, thermal limits, expansion planning, and general stability on their own. For experienced users, that process can be manageable, but it still takes time and usually involves trial and error. For less experienced buyers, it can be a barrier that keeps them from adopting a self hosted setup at all. A partnership between a software platform like Unraid and a hardware focused company like 45HomeLab makes sense because it reduces that gap. Instead of the customer having to guess which platform combinations will work well together, the expectation is that the testing and validation have already been done before the system reaches the buyer.

It also makes sense because the strengths of the 2 sides are complementary rather than overlapping. Unraid already has an established base of users who want flexible storage and application hosting in a single system, while 45HomeLab comes from a hardware background that places importance on build quality, serviceability, and long term component replacement. When those priorities are combined, the result is easier to position as a durable self hosting solution rather than as a short lifecycle appliance. That is especially relevant in a market where many buyers want something simpler than a fully custom build, but still want to avoid proprietary consumer NAS limitations. In that context, a jointly validated system with standard parts, upgrade paths, and bundled software licensing can be seen as a logical middle ground.

What Do We Know About How this Partnership will be presented as a solution?

Based on the announcement, the partnership is being presented as a ready made answer for people who want the flexibility of a self hosted server without having to design the hardware platform themselves. The emphasis is on systems that arrive prebuilt, tested, and validated for the kinds of workloads Unraid users commonly run, rather than on users assembling parts independently and then solving compatibility issues afterward. In practical terms, that means the offer is not being framed as just hardware on one side and software on the other, but as a combined product where both have been selected with the same use cases in mind. The message is that buyers should be able to start with a system that works as delivered, while still retaining the freedom to expand or modify it later.

The use cases being highlighted are broad enough to make the solution look adaptable rather than narrow. The announcement refers to media storage, file serving, containers, virtual machines, home automation, game servers, security camera management, and local AI workloads. That is important because it suggests the systems are meant to be positioned as consolidated household or small office servers rather than single purpose NAS appliances. At the same time, the hardware side is being described in a way that supports that message, with attention given to replaceable parts, upgradeability, standard tools, and chassis design. The intended impression is that the buyer is getting something easier to adopt than a custom build, but not something locked down in the way many consumer appliances are.

There is also a commercial and positioning element to how the partnership is being presented. The clarification from Unraid makes clear that this should be understood as a partnership with 45HomeLab, not 45Drives, which helps keep the focus on home lab and prosumer users instead of enterprise infrastructure. Another notable detail is that the systems are expected to ship with Lifetime Unraid licenses, which strengthens the idea that this is a complete solution rather than a partially assembled starting point. Taken together, the public messaging suggests that the partnership will be presented as a middle option in the market: more polished and pre validated than building a server from scratch, but more open, serviceable, and ownership focused than a typical closed consumer NAS product.

Taken at face value, the partnership between Unraid and 45HomeLab appears to be aimed at a specific gap in the market: users who want the flexibility and control of self hosting, but do not want the added work of sourcing, validating, and maintaining a hardware platform entirely on their own. The combination of Unraid’s software environment with 45HomeLab’s hardware design approach gives the partnership a clear logic, particularly when it is framed around upgradeability, standard components, and long term ownership rather than closed appliance style convenience. The distinction between 45HomeLab and 45Drives is also important to how the arrangement is being presented, because it keeps the focus on home lab and prosumer buyers. Overall, the partnership is best understood as a practical attempt to package self hosting in a more accessible form without removing the flexibility that makes it appealing in the first place.

Learn More in the UnRAID Press Release HERE:

 

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Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

WE LOVE COFFEE

 

Bonjour à tous,

J’espère que vous allez bien. De mon côté, tout va pour le mieux. Après un début de mois assez chargé côté boulot (déplacement de plusieurs jours), je devrais retrouver un rythme un peu plus normal prochainement.

Il y a quelques jours, je vous partageais simplement mes doutes sur l’avenir du site et les raisons qui me poussent à continuer. J’ai reçu énormément de messages de soutien… alors merci à tous ! Plusieurs idées ont émergé dans les commentaires, ce qui m’a d’ailleurs inspiré un second billet sur les différentes façons de soutenir Cachem ou d’y contribuer. Là encore, vous avez été au rendez-vous et ça fait vraiment plaisir… Vos retours confirment que je ne fais pas fausse route. Mes choix passés (comme actuels) montrent que la passion et le partage ont encore toute leur place, même dans un monde toujours plus incertain.

Concernant les NAS, j’ai eu plusieurs échanges récents avec des acteurs du marché. Ce qu’il en ressort, c’est qu’il ne faut pas s’attendre à une révolution matérielle à court terme. Il y aura bien quelques nouveautés, mais c’est surtout du côté logiciel que ça va bouger. Si je vous dis IA, vous allez me répondre que ce n’est pas une surprise… et vous n’auriez pas tort. Mais ce n’est pas la seule évolution prévue pour 2026. Promis, je vous en reparle très bientôt !

Côté séries TV, je viens de terminer la saison 2 de Hijack. Ça reste agréable à regarder, mais on est clairement un cran en dessous de la première saison.
J’ai également enchaîné avec la saison 4 de The Lincoln Lawyer, qui se laisse toujours regarder. Enfin, j’ai regardé la dernière saison de Tehran… et oui, c’est plutôt dans l’air du temps.

Allez, je vous laisse en vous souhaitant une bonne fin de semaine à tous,
FX

Minisforum N5 AIR NAS Review – A Lighter Better Way?

Minisforum entered the NAS market in Summer 2025 with the N5 and N5 Pro, 2 closely related 5 bay systems that stood out for combining a compact desktop form factor with relatively high-end AMD hardware, 10GbE plus 5GbE networking, and less common expansion features such as OCuLink and a PCIe slot. Between the 2, the N5 Pro drew more attention for its Ryzen AI CPU and ECC memory support, while the standard N5 was generally the more accessible option because it retained most of the same chassis design and connectivity at a much lower entry price. That first generation also established the basic identity of the range, namely a compact 5 bay NAS platform aimed more at prosumer and homelab users than at the usual entry-level turnkey NAS audience (albeit, with some bumps along the road in the first wave of devices – more on that in a bit).

The N5 Air now appears to take over that lower tier position in the lineup, sitting beneath the N5 Pro and alongside the higher end N5 Max that Minisforum previewed more recently. In practical terms, the N5 Air does not radically change the formula of the original N5, because it keeps the same Ryzen 7 255 CPU class, the same broad 5 bay plus NVMe storage approach, and the same expansion-minded design philosophy. What it changes is the balance of cost, materials, and positioning. The result is a system that looks intended to preserve the strengths of the original N5 platform while making the entry point slightly lower and the product identity within the range a little clearer.

Where to Buy the Minisforum N5 NAS Series: Minisforum N5 AIR NAS ($519) – HERE Minisforum N5 PRO NAS ($959) – HERE Minisforum N5 NAS ($529) – HERE

Minisforum N5 AIR Review – Quick Conclusion

The Minisforum N5 Air is best viewed as a lower-cost refinement of the original N5 rather than a major new generation. It keeps the same core strengths that made the 2025 N5 notable, including a compact 5 bay design, Ryzen 7 255 CPU, Radeon 780M graphics, 10GbE plus 5GbE networking, 3x internal NVMe slots, OCuLink, and a PCIe x16 physical slot running at PCIe 4.0 x4, which still gives it a broader hardware feature set than many similarly sized NAS systems. The main changes are in positioning and materials, with a lighter plastic-led chassis, a more practical matte finish, and a lower entry price, making it easier to see as the current entry point in the N5 family. Storage flexibility remains one of its strongest points, with 5 SATA bays for bulk capacity and 3 NVMe slots for cache, containers, VMs, or faster working storage, while the slide-out internal design and socketed DDR5 memory up to 96 GB help keep the platform user-serviceable and upgrade-friendly. Performance appears solid for the class, with enough CPU and storage headroom for multi-hundred MB/s file operations, easy saturation of 10GbE from NVMe storage, reasonable idle power draw for an AMD-based NAS, and enough media capability for direct playback and general multimedia duties, even if AMD still lacks the same simple transcoding appeal as Intel in some setups.

The weaker side remains MinisCloud OS, which is functional and includes ZFS snapshots, compression, Docker, remote access, media tools, and mobile apps, but still does not feel as polished or mature as the hardware deserves, making the N5 Air easier to justify as a hardware-first purchase than as a fully rounded turnkey NAS appliance. That distinction matters, because buyers planning to use TrueNAS, Unraid, or another third-party NAS OS will likely find the value proposition much stronger than buyers expecting a highly refined out-of-box software experience. There is also some broader platform context, as early N5 and N5 Pro units drew user discussion online around first-wave storage and controller-related issues on some systems, though later production appeared more stable and there is no basis to treat that as a confirmed N5 Air problem. Overall, the N5 Air is a practical and well-specified NAS platform that retains most of what made the original N5 relevant, and while it is not the most polished turnkey NAS in software terms, it remains a strong option for users who prioritise compact size, flexible storage, multi-gig networking, and expansion over software maturity alone.

Minisforum N5 AIR Review – Design & Storage

At a glance, the N5 Air remains very close to the chassis concept established by the earlier N5 and N5 Pro. It uses the same compact 199 × 202 × 252 mm footprint, the same 5 bay desktop layout, and the same slide-out internal assembly that allows access to memory, NVMe storage, and internal expansion without dismantling the whole enclosure. That layout still makes the system easier to service than many compact NAS designs in this size class, particularly for users who expect to upgrade memory or flash storage after purchase. Minisforum has kept the internal structure largely unchanged, so the Air still feels more like a revision of an existing platform than a ground-up redesign.

The main physical change is in the external construction. Where the earlier N5 and N5 Pro leaned more heavily on a metal outer shell, the N5 Air shifts to a more plastic-heavy chassis and a revised front finish. That change reduces the quoted weight from 5 kg to 4 kg, which is significant in relative terms for a desktop NAS of this size, but it also changes the character of the system.

The original front panel treatment on the N5 generation was prone to showing fingerprints quite easily, so the move to a more matte presentation is arguably more practical. At the same time, the change away from a more metal-heavy enclosure may lead some buyers to question long-term thermals and overall build perception, even if the basic form factor remains the same.

In storage terms, the N5 Air continues to offer 5 SATA drive bays for 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch media, with Minisforum quoting support for up to 30 TB per bay and a total raw HDD capacity of up to 150 TB. Alongside that, it includes 3 internal M.2 NVMe slots, with a claimed ceiling of up to 8 TB per slot, taking total flash capacity to a further 24 TB. As with the earlier N5 platform, the design is clearly intended to separate bulk storage and faster flash tiers in a flexible way, whether that is for caching, containers, VMs, or all-flash working datasets alongside larger HDD pools. The preinstalled 64 GB OS storage also occupies 1 of those internal SSD positions, which remains a practical inclusion for a turnkey setup but does still consume part of the internal flash footprint.

Minisforum continues to position the N5 Air around mixed media deployment and ZFS-oriented storage management, with support listed for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 or RAIDZ1, RAID 6 or RAIDZ2, snapshots, and LZ4 compression within MinisCloud OS. The system is therefore being presented less as a fixed-purpose home NAS and more as a compact storage platform that can be adapted for archive storage, media serving, backup tasks, and lighter virtualization.

It is also worth noting, as platform context rather than as a direct criticism of this model, that some early N5 and N5 Pro units drew user complaints online around SATA-side stability and storage behavior under certain workloads, although those reports appeared inconsistent across users and later production units seemed to fare better. That background does not confirm any equivalent issue on the N5 Air, but it remains part of the lineage around this hardware family.

Minisforum N5 AIR Review – Internal Hardware

The N5 Air is built around the AMD Ryzen 7 255, an 8-core, 16-thread processor with boost up to 4.9 GHz and a stated 45 W to 55 W operating range. In practical terms, this places it in the same compute tier as the original N5 rather than the N5 Pro, which used the more capable Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370. That distinction matters because the N5 Air is not trying to move upmarket on raw CPU throughput. Instead, it keeps the same general processing profile as the earlier standard model, which is still relatively strong for a 5 bay NAS in this size class and substantially above the level of entry ARM or Intel N100 based systems.

Graphics are handled by the integrated Radeon 780M, again matching the original N5 and sitting below the Radeon 890M found in the Pro model. For NAS duties, that matters less in terms of display output and more in relation to media handling, accelerated workloads, and light edge compute. Minisforum continues to market the platform around AI-adjacent use cases, Docker deployments, and media serving, but the Air is clearly the more modest version of that vision. It can still support eGPU expansion over OCuLink and accepts a PCIe add-in card internally, so the compute story here is less about the onboard silicon alone and more about the range of hardware paths the system leaves open.

Memory remains user-upgradeable through 2 DDR5 SO-DIMM slots with support for up to 96 GB at 5600 MT/s, but unlike the N5 Pro there is no ECC support listed. That keeps the Air aligned with the original N5 and preserves one of the more important practical differences between the standard and Pro classes. In a market where some newer compact NAS systems are moving toward soldered memory, Minisforum retaining socketed DDR5 remains relevant because it gives buyers flexibility over cost and capacity at the point of purchase and later on. That said, buyers specifically looking for ECC-backed storage integrity or heavier VM density will still view the N5 Pro as the more appropriate tier in the lineup.

From a platform perspective, the N5 Air also appears to keep the same broad internal topology as the earlier N5 generation, including the split NVMe lane arrangement and the dedicated SATA controller architecture behind the 5 drive bays. That continuity is useful for understanding where the Air sits, but it also means some of the discussion around the earlier units still forms part of the background. In particular, some first-wave N5 and N5 Pro users reported online issues around controller behavior, power management, and storage-side stability under certain operating conditions, although those reports did not appear universal and later units seemed to be less affected. For the N5 Air, the important point is not to assume the same fault is present, but to recognise that this is still an evolution of an existing hardware platform rather than a completely new internal design.

Minisforum N5 AIR Review – Ports and Connections

The N5 Air keeps the same broad external I/O philosophy as the earlier N5 and N5 Pro, which is to say it offers a level of connectivity that is notably more flexible than most compact 5 bay NAS systems in this price bracket. On the rear, it includes 1x 10GbE RJ45 port, 1x 5GbE RJ45 port, 1x OCuLink port, 1x HDMI 2.1 output, 1x USB4 port, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, and 1x USB 2.0 port. On the front, there is an additional USB4 port and a further USB 3.2 Gen 2 port. Taken together, that gives the Air a more workstation-like I/O profile than a conventional closed NAS appliance.

Networking remains one of the more important features of the system. The N5 Air uses a 10GbE port based on the Realtek RTL8127 and a 5GbE port based on the Realtek RTL8126. Compared with the earlier N5 and N5 Pro, which paired the 5GbE port with Realtek but often used an AQC113 controller for 10GbE, this means the Air moves to a more consistent dual-Realtek controller setup. Functionally, the headline remains the same, namely that the system can support multi-gig client access well beyond standard 2.5GbE NAS territory, whether for direct workstation links, faster switch uplinks, or more demanding shared file workloads.

The USB4 and OCuLink support continue to define the range more than any of the USB-A ports do. Minisforum still positions the USB4 implementation not just as a display or peripheral connection, but also as part of direct host connectivity and higher speed external workflows. Alongside that, OCuLink remains unusual in a NAS at this level and gives the system a route toward external PCIe-based expansion such as eGPU support or other bandwidth-sensitive devices. Internally, the machine also retains a PCIe x16 physical slot wired at PCIe 4.0 x4, which means the external I/O is only part of the expansion story, not the whole of it.

Video output support is also unchanged in broad terms, with HDMI and USB4 both listed for high resolution display output, including up to 8K at 60 Hz or 4K at 144 Hz. For most NAS buyers this will not be a deciding factor in itself, but it does align with Minisforum’s attempt to present the N5 family as more than simple storage boxes. The Air can be used as a direct-attached media endpoint, a light desktop-style appliance, or a hybrid storage and compute system in ways that many traditional NAS systems do not attempt. Whether that added flexibility is necessary will depend on the deployment, but in terms of raw connectivity the N5 Air remains unusually well equipped for its class.

Minisforum N5 AIR Review – Noise, Heat, Power Use and Speed Tests

Minisforum N5 AIR Review – Miniscloud OS NAS Software

The N5 Air ships with MinisCloud OS preinstalled on the included 64 GB system SSD, continuing Minisforum’s approach of treating the software stack as part of the out-of-box experience rather than expecting every buyer to start immediately with a third-party NAS OS. In practical terms, the platform remains centred on a ZFS-based storage model with built-in snapshots, LZ4 compression, multi-user account separation, remote access features, and container deployment. The interface is available across desktop, mobile, and local system access, and it is clearly intended to present the N5 Air as a turnkey NAS rather than only as bare hardware for TrueNAS, Unraid, or OpenMediaVault users.

In general use, MinisCloud OS appears functional but still not especially mature. Core tasks such as pool creation, snapshot management, file access, user permissions, and backup jobs are present and reasonably straightforward to work through, but the overall design still lacks the consistency seen in more established NAS platforms. Different parts of the interface can feel as though they were developed with different design priorities, and the result is a system that works in broad terms without always feeling cohesive. That does not make it unusable, but it does make it harder to treat the software as a primary buying reason in the same way buyers might with Synology DSM or QNAP QTS.

The feature set itself is relatively broad on paper. MinisCloud OS includes Docker deployment, VM tools, AI-assisted photo indexing, media playback, Time Machine support, remote sharing, and mobile-led backup functions, along with HDMI output management for local media use. Some of these features are more convincing than others.

The mobile application appears more polished and coherent than the desktop client in several areas, and basic backup or file access tasks seem better aligned there. By contrast, some system-level controls still feel incomplete, with examples including missing fan control in software, uneven interface presentation, and gaps around security and broader service maturity that make the platform feel like an actively developing beta rather than a fully settled NAS OS.

That remains the main software conclusion for the N5 Air just as it was for the earlier N5 and N5 Pro. MinisCloud OS is useful as an included baseline and may be enough for buyers who want simple storage, remote access, and a handful of bundled services without much setup effort.

However, it still feels secondary to the hardware rather than central to the value of the product. Most buyers considering this system are likely to be doing so because of the chassis, networking, expansion, and CPU platform first, with the included OS treated as a starting point rather than the final destination.

Minisforum N5 AIR Review – Verdict and Conclusion

The Minisforum N5 Air does not substantially reinvent the N5 formula, but that appears to be a deliberate choice rather than a limitation in itself. In hardware terms, it keeps most of what made the original N5 relevant, including the Ryzen 7 255 platform, 5 bay storage layout, 3 NVMe slots, 10GbE plus 5GbE networking, OCuLink support, and the internal PCIe expansion slot. What has changed is mostly around materials, controller choices, and pricing. The move to a lighter plastic-led chassis and a revised front finish helps separate it physically from the earlier model, while the controller revisions and lower asking price make it easier to position as the more accessible member of the current range. In that sense, the N5 Air is best understood as a practical rework of the standard N5 rather than a major new generation, and for many buyers that may be enough.

That said, the balance of this system depends heavily on what the buyer expects from it. The hardware remains the strongest part of the package, particularly for users who value expandability, multi-gig networking, and a compact chassis that does more than a conventional 5 bay NAS in the same price range. At the same time, the software side still feels less mature than the hardware deserves, and the shift away from the older metal-heavy chassis may not appeal to everyone. Buyers planning to install a third-party NAS OS will likely view the N5 Air as a strong value-oriented platform with relatively few direct alternatives at this size and price. Buyers looking for a polished turnkey NAS with refined software, longer platform maturity, and fewer open questions may take a more cautious view. Overall, the N5 Air is a capable and well-specified NAS platform with a clear use case, but it remains easier to recommend on hardware merits than as a fully rounded appliance.

Where to Buy the Minisforum N5 NAS Series: Minisforum N5 AIR NAS ($519) – HERE Minisforum N5 PRO NAS ($959) – HERE Minisforum N5 NAS ($529) – HERE

PROS of the Minisforum N5 Air

CONS of the Minisforum N5 Air

5 bay SATA design in a relatively compact desktop footprint, in a space you would normamlly find 4x SATA 3x internal NVMe slots for cache, apps, VMs, or faster storage tiers 10GbE + 5GbE networking included as standard PCIe x16 physical expansion slot wired at PCIe 4.0 x4 OCuLink support for external PCIe or eGPU expansion User-upgradeable DDR5 SO-DIMM memory up to 96 GB Lower entry price than the earlier N5 while keeping most of the same core hardware Slide-out internal design makes memory and SSD upgrades easier than on many compact NAS systems  Change in design has resulted in a price drop vs the original N5 Model and noticably cheaper than N5 Pro (2025)

MinisCloud OS still feels unfinished compared with more established NAS software platforms Plastic-led chassis may be seen as a downgrade in build feel versus the earlier metal-heavy N5 design No ECC memory support, unlike the N5 Pro Included 64 GB OS drive occupies part of the internal SSD footprint

 

 

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WE LOVE COFFEE

 

J’utilise depuis un peu plus de dix-huit mois la solution Proxmox Backupspace, éditée par Layer7.net. Ce service repose sur une instance de Proxmox Backup Server (PBS) aux fonctionnalités volontairement limitées, conçue pour externaliser les sauvegardes (VM et conteneurs LXC) de mes serveurs PVE.

 

Faute de retours d’expérience disponibles lors de ma souscription, j’ai décidé de rédiger ce guide. Nous aborderons ensemble la mise en place, l’utilisation au quotidien, mais aussi les contraintes techniques inhérentes à cette offre, afin de vous donner une vision complète du produit.

Pourquoi externaliser ses sauvegardes ? (Règle du 3-2-1)

Avant d’entrer dans le concret, un rappel rapide s’impose. Si vous gérez un NAS ou un homelab, vous connaissez probablement la règle 3-2-1 :

• 3 copies de vos données (1 originale + 2 sauvegardes)
• 2 supports différents (NAS, disque local, USB…)
• 1 copie hors site (offsite)

C’est ce dernier point qui est souvent négligé. Avoir un NAS qui fonctionne à côté de son serveur Proxmox, c’est bien, et c’est même indispensable pour restaurer une VM rapidement après une fausse manip (encore faut-il réaliser cette sauvegarde ). Mais si votre maison ou votre baie de brassage subit un dégât des eaux, un incendie ou un cambriolage… vos sauvegardes locales partent en fumée en même temps que vos données sources.

C’est là que le besoin d’un stockage distant intervient. Proxmox Backup Server (PBS) est un outil génial pour ça, car il gère nativement la déduplication et les sauvegardes incrémentielles. Mais tout le monde n’a pas forcément un deuxième serveur chez un ami ou un parent pour y installer un PBS.

L’idée de prendre un service « clés en main » comme celui de Layer7, c’est d’avoir la puissance de PBS sans la gestion de la machine physique distante (hardware, stockage). On envoie ses backups dans le cloud, et on dort sur ses deux oreilles.

Présentation de l’offre

Maintenant qu’on est d’accord sur l’intérêt d’externaliser ses sauvegardes, pourquoi choisir Layer7.net ? C’est l’une des rares offres « clés en main » basées sur PBS que l’on trouve facilement.

L’offre Proxmox Backup Space

Ce qui m’a attiré chez eux, c’est la simplicité de l’offre. Pas de calculs compliqués de CPU ou de RAM : on achète avant tout du stockage. Depuis fin 2024, les tarifs ont un peu augmenté. Lorsque j’ai souscrit en 2024, j’ai choisi de payer pour 3 mois, me disant que c’était un bon compromis pour profiter d’un tarif réduit (oui, plus on prend une durée longue, moins c’est cher). À l’époque, j’en avais pour 20,45 € TTC. Maintenant, en 2026, les tarifs ont grimpé un peu, mais restent très accessibles pour un usage « homelab » ou petite PME :

• L’entrée de gamme commence aujourd’hui à 3,99 € HT (≈4,77€ TTC)  / mois pour 1 To ;
• Chaque To supplémentaire coûte le même prix : 3,99 € HT (≈4,77€ TTC) / mois, avec un maximum de 100 To.
• Les tarifs qui deviennent dégressifs si vous payez plusieurs mois d’un coup (3 / 6 / 12 mois).

L’un des gros points positifs, c’est qu’il n’y a pas de frais de trafic cachés. Vous payez votre espace, et vous envoyez autant de données que vous voulez, tant que ça rentre dans votre quota. Il y a cependant des frais de mise en service d’environ 10 € TTC, à payer une seule fois à la commande uniquement.

Souscription et mise en route

La souscription se fait directement sur leur site. C’est du classique : on choisit son volume, son échéancier de paiement, on crée son compte et on passe à la caisse.

Une petite chose à savoir : l’activation n’est pas forcément instantanée. Dans mon cas, il a fallu attendre un petit moment avant de recevoir le mail contenant les accès à l’interface PBS. Rien de dramatique, mais ne prévoyez pas de lancer votre première sauvegarde de 500 Go dans les deux minutes après avoir sorti la carte bancaire !

Une fois le mail reçu, vous avez accès à une URL personnalisée qui vous mène vers l’interface de Proxmox Backup Server. On est en terrain connu, mais comme nous allons le voir juste après, tout n’est pas accessible.

Mise en place et configuration

Maintenant que le décor est planté, voyons comment mettre tout cela en place. L’idée est de lier notre PVE au service de Layer7. Mais avant de se lancer dans les explications de configuration, il faut d’abord préparer le terrain côté Layer7.

Configurer l’accès côté Layer7

Une fois connecté à l’interface PBS fournie par Layer7, on remarque vite les premières limitations. Par exemple, impossible de récupérer le Fingerprint de manière classique : le bouton est grisé. Pour contourner cela et sécuriser la connexion, il faut passer par la création d’un API Token.
Voici la marche à suivre :

1. Allez dans la gestion des utilisateurs et créez un API Token.
2. Attention : Notez bien l’ID du token et surtout le « Secret » (la clé) qui s’affiche, car il ne sera plus visible par la suite.
3. Il faut ensuite lui affecter les permissions nécessaires : pour le Path, renseignez celui de votre Datastore, et pour le Rôle, j’ai choisi « Admin » (je n’ai pas testé d’autres rôles plus restrictifs, mais celui-ci fonctionne parfaitement).
4. Enfin, pour récupérer les infos dont votre PVE aura besoin, utilisez le bouton « Show Connection Information »situé directement sur la page de votre Datastore. C’est là que vous trouverez l’URL et l’empreinte (Fingerprint) à copier.

Configurer PVE pour envoyer les sauvegardes

C’est ici que la magie opère. Côté Proxmox Virtual Environment (PVE), l’ajout se fait très naturellement puisque le support de PBS est natif.

1. Direction l’onglet Datacenter > Storage > Add et on choisit Proxmox Backup Server.
2. Dans la fenêtre qui s’ouvre, on renseigne les infos récupérées à l’étape précédente. Notez qu’ici, pas besoin de Fingerprint :
   • 1⃣ ID : Un nom parlant pour vous (ex: PBS-Layer7).
   • 2⃣ Server : L’adresse fournie par votre abonnement (ex: par1.layer7.net).
   • 3⃣ Username : L’ID complet de votre API Token (format votre_login@pbs!nom_du_token).
   • 4⃣ Password : Le « Secret » obtenu lors de la création du Token-ID.
   • 5⃣ Datastore : Le nom de votre espace (ex: backup01-par1-votre_login).
   • 6⃣ Namespace : (Optionnel) Celui que vous aurez créé au préalable et que vous souhaitez utiliser pour organiser vos sauvegardes.
3. 7⃣ Une fois ces champs remplis, cliquez sur Add.

Si tout est correct, votre stockage « Cloud » s’affiche instantanément dans votre liste de ressources à gauche. Il ne vous reste plus qu’à créer un Backup Job (ou à modifier l’existant) pour envoyer vos VM et conteneurs vers ce nouveau point de chute. Personnellement, j’ai programmé mes sauvegardes Layer7 la nuit pour ne pas saturer mon upload, même si, comme on le verra, la déduplication de PBS limite énormément le volume de données réellement envoyé.

Les limitations : Un PBS un peu « bridé » ?

Comme je vous le disais en introduction, ce service est un Proxmox Backup Server (PBS) un peu « castré ». D’ailleurs, c’est assez logique quand on y regarde de plus près, l’offre ne s’intitule pas « Proxmox Backup Server », mais bien « Proxmox BackupSpace« . C’est un espace de stockage avant tout.

Ce qui manque à l’appel

Le point le plus évident, c’est l’absence totale d’accès SSH. C’est assez limitant si vous avez l’habitude de surveiller l’OS de près. Dans la même lignée, n’espérez pas gérer les mises à jour système ou d’autres tâches administratives : tout cela est verrouillé.

Plus agaçant au quotidien :

• Les notifications emails : Tout est verrouillé, on n’a simplement pas les permissions pour les configurer. Impossible donc de recevoir un rapport de santé du PBS par mail.
• Le message de souscription : À chaque connexion, vous aurez le fameux message indiquant qu’aucune souscription valide n’est détectée. Le support refuse catégoriquement de faire la manipulation (pourtant simple) pour le retirer. Il faudra faire avec.

Les bonnes surprises (tout n’est pas bloqué !)

Malgré ces restrictions, les Namespaces sont bien présents. J’ai pu en créer deux distincts pour dissocier proprement les sauvegardes de mes deux instances PVE. C’est indispensable pour ne pas tout mélanger. Concernant les performances, même si on ne choisit pas son type de disque, le débit de 10 Gbits annoncé laisse supposer du matériel performant (probablement du NVMe).

 

Le support technique

Réactif mais… « austère »

J’ai eu l’occasion d’échanger plusieurs fois avec le support de Layer7. Premier point important : tout se fait en anglais. Oubliez le français ici.

Globalement, ils sont très réactifs, même le week-end. Cependant, le ton est… direct. On est sur une communication « brute », parfois un peu brusque. J’ai même failli me désabonner après avoir demandé comment configurer mon propre SMTP pour les notifications e-mails. La réponse (traduite dans notre langue de Molière ici) a été claire :

« Voulez-vous un compte de sauvegarde pas cher ou un Proxmox Backup Server complet ? Vous n’aurez pas 100% des fonctions, c’est la différence entre un système partagé et un système dédié. »

Une réactivité technique surprenante

Pour autant, tout n’est pas à jeter, loin de là. Récemment, alors que la version 4.0 de PBS était sortie mais pas encore déployée sur mon instance, je les ai contactés pour demander la mise à jour vers la 4.1.1.

La réponse a été typique de leur style : un mélange de « on fait ça quand on a le temps car ça n’apporte rien aux clients » et d’une efficacité redoutable. Le technicien a lancé la mise à jour dans la foulée (« backup01 n’avait pas encore reçu cet amour« , m’a-t-il dit (traduction littérale)) et 40 minutes plus tard, c’était réglé.

On est donc sur un support qui ne s’encombre pas de fioritures commerciales, mais qui, techniquement, assure le suivi quand on le demande poliment. Aujourd’hui, je tourne sur la 4.1.1, en attendant de les relancer pour la 4.1.4 (ou la 4.2 !).

Conclusion : Mon verdict après un an et demi

Alors, est-ce que je recommande le Proxmox BackupSpace de chez Layer7.net ?

La réponse est oui, mais avec une nuance importante : il faut savoir ce que l’on achète. Si vous cherchez un Proxmox Backup Server complet, avec les droits root, des notifications personnalisées par email et une interface parfaitement propre, passez votre chemin. Vous seriez déçus par le côté « bridé » du service et le ton parfois sec du support.

En revanche, si votre objectif est simplement de respecter la règle du 3-2-1 avec un stockage distant ultra-stable, performant et surtout à un prix défiant toute concurrence pour un homelab ou une petite structure, c’est une excellente pioche.

Après 18 mois d’utilisation quotidienne pour mes deux instances PVE, le service n’a jamais failli. Les sauvegardes partent chaque nuit, la déduplication fait son travail, et même si l’interface me rappelle à chaque connexion que je n’ai pas de « souscription valide », l’essentiel est là : mes données sont à l’abri hors de chez moi.

Bref, c’est du « Low Cost » au sens noble du terme : on retire le superflu pour se concentrer sur l’efficacité brute. Et pour environ 27 € TTC par trimestre pour 2 To, c’est un rapport qualité/prix qu’il est difficile d’ignorer en 2026.

UniFi and the Airwire – Did Ubiquiti just SOLVE Everyone’s WiFi MLO Issue?

Ubiquiti has introduced the UniFi AirWire, a WiFi 7 client adapter designed to address one of the more limited areas of current WiFi 7 deployment: the client side. While WiFi 7 access points and routers have been marketed heavily around Multilink Operation, many currently available client devices still rely on single-radio implementations that switch between bands rather than maintaining simultaneous links. The AirWire is positioned as a dedicated external client that aims to deliver true STR MLO operation across 5 GHz and 6 GHz, with Ubiquiti claiming improved throughput, lower latency, and better resilience than conventional integrated client hardware.

At a hardware level, the AirWire is a USB-C connected WiFi 7 adapter with a 4-stream design, support for 5 GHz and 6 GHz 2 x 2 MU-MIMO operation, and a quoted uplink capability of up to 5.8 Gbps on 6 GHz and 4.3 Gbps on 5 GHz. It also adds a high-gain antenna design and a dedicated scanning radio for real-time spectrum analysis. At $199, this places it well above the cost of generic USB wireless adapters, but it is also targeting a more specific role: enabling multi-gigabit wireless client connectivity in environments that already have the access point infrastructure to support it.

You can buy the Airwire via the link below – doing so will result in a small commission coming to me and Eddie at NASCompares, and allows us to keep doing what we do! 

UniFi Airwire – Design

The UniFi AirWire has a noticeably different physical design to the compact USB WiFi adapters that are typically associated with desktop or laptop client upgrades. At 117 x 117 x 42.5 mm and 537 g, it is much closer in appearance to a standalone wireless bridge or directional client than a conventional dongle. That larger enclosure is directly tied to its intended function, as Ubiquiti is clearly building around higher power operation, larger antenna structures, and the thermal requirements that come with sustained WiFi 7 activity across multiple radios.

The housing is made of polycarbonate and includes a fold-out top section that appears to be part of the antenna assembly and directional positioning of the unit. This gives the AirWire a more deliberate deployment profile, where placement and orientation are likely to matter more than they would with an internal laptop radio or a low-profile USB adapter. On the front, there is also a 0.96-inch status display, which provides at-a-glance information during setup and operation without needing to rely entirely on software feedback from the host system.

From a practical standpoint, the design reflects that this is not intended to be an invisible add-on for casual wireless use. It is an external client device built to sit on a desk or near a workstation, with a form factor that prioritizes radio performance and signal handling over portability. That makes it less discreet than mainstream client adapters, but it also aligns with the product’s stated purpose as a high-performance WiFi 7 endpoint for users trying to push beyond the limitations of standard integrated wireless hardware.

UniFi Airwire – Internal Hardware

Internally, the UniFi AirWire is built around a dual-band WiFi 7 architecture that focuses entirely on 5 GHz and 6 GHz operation, without any 2.4 GHz support. Ubiquiti rates the device as a 4-stream client, split across 2 x 2 MU-MIMO on 5 GHz and 2 x 2 MU-MIMO on 6 GHz.

This layout is central to its stated role as an STR MLO client, allowing both bands to be active simultaneously rather than relying on the more common single-radio behaviour seen in many current WiFi 7 client devices.

Ubiquiti also specifies a high-gain antenna design, with 11 dBi quoted on both 5 GHz and 6 GHz, which is significantly more aggressive than the antenna arrangements found in most integrated laptop or mobile WiFi hardware. Alongside this, the AirWire includes a dedicated scanning radio for real-time spectral analysis. That separate scanning capability is notable because it suggests the unit is not just focused on link speed, but also on monitoring local RF conditions and interference in parallel with normal client operation.

The trade-off for that hardware approach is power and thermals. Ubiquiti lists maximum power consumption at 18 W, with USB PD 5/9/12V support and separate normal and performance power profiles. In practical terms, that places the AirWire closer to a compact external network appliance than a typical USB wireless adapter. It also helps explain the larger chassis, the need for external power flexibility, and the expectation that sustained performance operation will demand more cooling headroom than a smaller bus-powered client device could realistically provide.

UniFi Airwire – Connectivity

The UniFi AirWire connects to the host system over USB-C, but from a networking perspective it is presented as a 5 GbE interface over USB 3.2 Gen 2. That distinction matters, because although the wireless side of the device is rated far higher in combined theoretical bandwidth, the host connection places an upper practical ceiling on what can be delivered to the attached PC, laptop, or workstation. In effect, the AirWire is designed to behave more like an external multi-gig network adapter than a conventional USB WiFi dongle.

On the wireless side, the AirWire operates on 5 GHz and 6 GHz only, with support for WiFi 7, WiFi 6, WiFi 5, and 802.11n data rates across a wide range of channel widths. Ubiquiti lists support for EHT 20/40/80/160/240/320 MHz, alongside HE, VHT, and HT modes on earlier standards. The maximum quoted link rates are 5.8 Gbps on 6 GHz using 320 MHz bandwidth and 4.3 Gbps on 5 GHz using 240 MHz bandwidth, though actual results will depend heavily on access point capability, spectrum availability, regional channel restrictions, and signal conditions.

Power delivery is also part of the connection design. Ubiquiti specifies USB PD 5/9/12V support, with 15 W in normal mode and 20 W in performance mode, while maximum device power consumption is listed at 18 W. This means that, depending on how the host system is connected and powered, full performance operation may require more than a single low-power USB port can reliably provide. That makes cable quality, port specification, and available USB power budget more relevant here than they would be for standard client adapters.

The AirWire also includes support for wireless meshing and real-time spectral analysis, which extends its connection role beyond basic client access. In a UniFi environment, setup is intended to be handled through UniFi AutoLink for rapid onboarding, reducing the need for separate client-side software installation. Even so, the broader connection experience will still depend on the surrounding infrastructure, particularly whether the connected UniFi access point supports the required WiFi 7 and 6 GHz features needed for the AirWire to operate in the way it is being marketed.

UniFi Airwire – Verdict?

The UniFi AirWire is a more specialised product than its USB-C connection initially suggests. Rather than serving as a low-cost way to add basic WiFi 7 support to a system, it is designed to address a specific gap in the current client ecosystem: the lack of widely available true multi-radio MLO hardware on the device side. Its value therefore depends less on headline wireless specifications alone and more on whether the surrounding network environment is already capable of taking advantage of simultaneous 5 GHz and 6 GHz operation, wider channel support, and multi-gigabit client throughput.

On that basis, the AirWire appears to be an interesting but clearly targeted piece of hardware. The larger chassis, higher power requirements, directional design, and likely dependency on a strong WiFi 7 6 GHz deployment mean it is not a universal client upgrade for every user. However, for users already invested in UniFi WiFi 7 infrastructure and looking for a higher performance external client than the current mainstream market provides, it introduces a form factor and feature set that are still relatively uncommon. Whether that translates into a meaningful real-world advantage will depend on testing, particularly around sustained throughput, latency behaviour, thermal limits, and the practical impact of STR MLO outside of ideal conditions.

You can buy the Airwire via the link below – doing so will result in a small commission coming to me and Eddie at NASCompares, and allows us to keep doing what we do! 

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This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

WE LOVE COFFEE

 

J’ai récemment installé un UniFi Dream Router 7 chez mes parents pour améliorer leur Wi-Fi et ajouter une couche de sécurité au réseau domestique. Entre le saut générationnel du Wi-Fi, l’installation très simple et la possibilité de configurer un VPN WireGuard, voici mon retour d’expérience après quelques jours d’utilisation. Disponible pour moins de 300€, découvrons dans le détail ce produit…

Pourquoi avoir choisi l’UniFi Dream Router 7 ?

Il y a quelques temps déjà que je voulais installer un appareil UniFi chez mes parents pour améliorer un peu la sécurité de leurs PC et de leurs téléphones. Même si je n’ai pas encore sauté le pas, cela pourrait m’être utile pour faire les backups de mon NAS chez eux plutôt que de payer un service S3 chez Infomaniak.

Ils n’ont pas énormément d’appareils à connecter et la maison ne fait que 90 m². J’avais bien évidemment regardé des appareils comme l’UniFi Cloud Gateway, mais cela impliquait l’achat d’un point d’accès Wi-Fi supplémentaire. À l’inverse, l’UniFi Dream Router 7 (UDR 7) intègre déjà le Wi-Fi, avec une bande passante largement suffisante pour leurs usages : 2 mini PC, 2 téléphones et 2-3 Google Assistant. Cela simplife donc nettement l’installation.

Déballage

Le poids de l’appareil est surprenant par rapport à sa taille : 720 g pour 18 cm de haut. On dirait presque un gros pot de pâte à tartiner

Comme d’habitude avec UniFi, le packaging est soigné et il n’y a pas de documentation inutile.

Installation

Un câble à brancher entre la Freebox et l’UDR 7, le câble d’alimentation et c’est parti.

Au départ, j’avais envisagé de passer la Freebox en mode bridge. Cependant, j’ai rencontré quelques difficultés avec l’authentification du Player TV, malgré la configuration du port sur le VLAN 100.

C’est d’ailleurs assez étonnant de constater que ce n’est plus obligatoire sur la Freebox Ultra. Chez moi, la TV est directement branchée sur un port de l’UDM SE sans VLAN particulier : la Freebox est en mode bridge et tout fonctionne de manière transparente.

Au final, est-ce vraiment gênant le mode routeur ?

Ils n’hébergent aucun serveur nécessitant un accès externe. Le double NAT n’est donc pas un problème. J’ai simplement conservé le mode routeur de la box et désactivé son Wi-Fi. Par curiosité, je retenterai peut-être le mode bridge lors de ma prochaine visite.

Configuration et performances

Quelques appareils ont dû être reconfigurés, notamment les enceintes Google, même si j’ai conservé le même SSID et le même mot de passe. Mes parents utilisent encore une Freebox Révolution, donc le gain est assez net compte tenu du saut de génération (Wi-Fi 5 vers Wi-Fi 7). Ils ont pu ranger le répéteur Wi-Fi de Free et profiter d’un débit nettement supérieur.

Tests avec un Pixel 8 Pro

	Avec la Freebox	Avec l’UDR 7
A 2m	DL 402.8 Mbps / UP 146.9 Mbps	DL 831.7 Mbps / 357,1 Mbps
A l’étage	DL 143,1 Mbps / UP 73,1 Mbps	DL 257,4 Mbps / 149,4 Mbps

Quelques réglages de base pour démarrer comme l’activation de l’AdBlock intégré, de l’IPS et tout le reste peut se piloter à distance.

Un dernier gros avantage

Mes parents ne sont pas de grands consommateurs de streaming et n’ont pas besoin d’accéder quotidiennement à ces services. En revanche, il peut être intéressant d’utiliser facilement un VPN entre leur réseau et le mien, afin de faire sortir leur trafic avec mon IP si nécessaire.

Voici comment j’ai procédé :

1. Configurer un serveur VPN sur mon UDM SE
   Il suffit dans les réglages VPN de configurer un nouveau VPN de type WireGuard avec les réglages par défaut
2. Une fois le serveur en place, il est nécessaire de créer un nouveau client en cliquant sur « Add Client ».
   
   Une popup apparait et vous invite à télécharger le fichier de configuration (n’oubliez pas de le faire à ce moment-là, vous n’aurez pas d’autre occasion après à moins de recréer un nouveau client)
3. Configurer le client côté UDR 7
   Toujours dans la partie VPN, cette fois VPN client, il est nécessaire de cliquer sur « Create New » et d’uploader le fichier de configuration préalablement téléchargé. Donnez-lui un nom explicite et choisissez quel device doit bénéficier de cette connexion.
   Pensez également à désactiver l’option Kill Switch pour ne pas limiter la connexion Internet du device si le VPN venait à tomber. On peut vouloir profiter des avantages d’un VPN mais dans ce cas précis, il n’y aurait pas forcément de sens à bloquer la connexion.

La connexion s’établit rapidement.

Et voilà, la connexion est en place depuis quelques jours et reste parfaitement stable.

Faut-il choisir l’UniFi Dream Router 7 pour un réseau domestique ?

Depuis l’installation, j’ai affiné quelques paramètres Wi-Fi (choix des canaux et largeur de bande), mais les réglages automatiques étaient déjà tout à fait corrects pour leurs besoins.

Pour moins de 300€ TTC, c’est un appareil qui conviendra à beaucoup d’usages domestiques. Il est certes un peu moins puissant que certains modèles comme les Cloud Gateway, mais il couvre largement les besoins cités tout en apportant :

• de meilleures performances Wi-Fi
• une couche de sécurité supplémentaire pour les appareils du foyer

Il sera également possible d’ajouter un jour une ou deux caméras, car l’appareil peut faire tourner l’application UniFi Protect, même si le stockage repose sur une carte SD.

Au final, c’est un appareil discret, simple à installer et idéal pour commencer dans l’écosystème UniFi.

C’est un jour un peu spécial aujourd’hui : c’est mon anniversaire… mais aussi la sortie d’une nouvelle mise à jour pour les NAS Synology. Le constructeur vient en effet de déployer DSM 7.3.2 Update 3, une version qui corrige une faille de sécurité importante.

DSM 7.3.2-86009 Update 3

Si vous êtes passé à côté de l’Update 2, c’est tout à fait normal : elle a été rapidement remplacée par l’Update 3. Mais alors, que contient le journal des modifications de DSM 7.3.2 Update 2 et DSM 7.3.2 update 3 ?

DSM 7.3.2 Update 2 : une mise à jour discrète

Cette nouvelle version du logiciel interne pour les NAS Synology contenait une seule ligne :

• Correction de plusieurs failles de sécurité.

Comme souvent, le fabricant reste volontairement discret sur les détails.

DSM 7.3.2 Update 3

Avec cette nouvelle version, Synology apporte davantage de précisions.

• Correction d’une faille de sécurité concernant Telnetd (CVE-2026-32746).

Sur sa page dédiée aux avis de sécurité, Synology précise : « Synology a publié une mise à jour de sécurité pour DiskStation Manager (DSM) afin de corriger une vulnérabilité dans le service telnetd de GNU Inetutils ».  Le fabricant ajoute « La vulnérabilité CVE-2026-32746 pourrait permettre à des attaquants distants non authentifiés d’exécuter des commandes arbitraires ». Autrement dit, une faille potentiellement critique. Personnellement, je préfère utiliser SSH que le Telnet et on va se le dire franchement : on n’expose ni l’un, ni l’autre sur Internet.

Faut-il installer la mise à jour ?

Oui, sans aucun doute. Que votre NAS soit accessible depuis l’extérieur ou non, il est fortement recommandé d’installer cette mise à jour rapidement.

Comment télécharger et installer DSM 7.3.2 Update 3

Voici comment l’installer manuellement en suivant ces étapes :

1. Téléchargement du fichier
   Allez sur la page officielle du Centre de téléchargement de Synology ou sur le site d’archive officiel. A noter que de nombreux utilisateurs remontent que la mise à jour a été poussé directement sur leur NAS.
2. Installation manuelle
   • Connectez-vous à l’interface d’administration de votre NAS.
   • Accédez à Panneau de configuration > Mise à jour et restauration.
   • Cliquez sur Mise à jour manuelle de DSM.
   • Sélectionnez le fichier téléchargé via le bouton Parcourir.
   • Cliquez sur OK et patientez…
3. Redémarrage obligatoire
   Une fois la mise à jour terminée, votre NAS redémarrera automatiquement.

Une fois la mise à jour appliquée, le NAS redémarre automatiquement. Le fichier fait environ 4 Mo. L’installation demande environ 5 minutes… A noter que les versions précédente de  DSM 7.2.x et DSM 7.1.x dispose d’un correctif.

merci Guillaume

ZimaCube 2 NAS Announced – Bigger? Better? The Same?

IceWhale’s original ZimaCube and ZimaCube Pro established the company’s move beyond compact single-board servers and into desktop NAS hardware aimed at prosumers, creators, and home lab users. The standard ZimaCube launched at $699 with an Intel N100, while the ZimaCube Pro raised the ceiling with an Intel Core i5-1235U, 10GbE, Thunderbolt 4, faster 7th-bay M.2 performance, and broader appeal for heavier workloads. Both systems were positioned less as closed NAS appliances and more as flexible personal cloud platforms, with ZimaOS pre-installed and support for alternative operating systems such as TrueNAS, Unraid, Proxmox, pfSense, and Linux distributions. As with many crowdfunded hardware products, the first generation also required some early post-launch refinement, particularly around areas such as fan behaviour, thermal tuning, and broader system optimisation, which was reflected in community support discussions and early optimisation guidance from IceWhale.

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The newly revealed ZimaCube 2 family builds directly on that same idea, but with a clearer emphasis on higher-performance local storage, hybrid workloads, and hardware expansion. The new range starts with the $799 ZimaCube 2 Standard, moves to the $1,299 ZimaCube 2 Pro, and extends to a $2,499 Creator Pack that adds 64GB of memory, 1TB of SSD storage, and an NVIDIA RTX Pro 2000 GPU. Based on the specifications revealed so far, IceWhale is positioning this generation as a more capable platform for media serving, virtualization, containers, AI-assisted workloads, and direct-attached creative workflows, while continuing to stress open hardware, multi-OS support, and the absence of ecosystem lock-in. Unlike the first ZimaCube generation, which began as a Kickstarter-era product, the ZimaCube 2 line is already being presented through standard pre-order retail channels ahead of its expected March 30 shipment window.

ZimaCube 2 – Design & Storage

From a design standpoint, the ZimaCube 2 family appears to retain the same broad desktop form factor as the earlier models, with listed dimensions of 240 x 221 x 220 mm. IceWhale is continuing with the same general visual approach: a compact metal chassis, magnetic front panel, and a visible RGB lighting element rather than the more utilitarian styling used by many conventional NAS systems. The company is also still presenting the system as something intended to sit on a desk rather than be hidden away, which places equal weight on appearance, acoustics, and accessibility alongside storage capacity.

The storage layout remains one of the more distinctive parts of the design. As before, the system uses a 6-bay SATA arrangement for 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives, but it is paired with a separate 7th-bay expansion structure built around 4 M.2 slots.

IceWhale continues to frame this as a hybrid storage design, separating bulk-capacity HDD storage from faster solid-state tiers for cache, active project data, applications, or virtualised workloads. In practical terms, that gives the ZimaCube 2 a broader remit than a basic backup NAS, since it is being positioned to handle both long-term storage and higher-speed local workloads within the same enclosure.

What is different in this generation is less the physical layout itself and more the way IceWhale is defining its purpose. The company is now pushing the 6+4 architecture more explicitly as a tiered storage platform for creators, self-hosters, and home lab users, with references to 164TB+ capacity, active “hot zone” NVMe storage, and room for long-term archive duties. That said, the overall storage philosophy is still familiar rather than radically new: the ZimaCube 2 appears to refine and repackage an existing concept instead of introducing a fundamentally different chassis or bay arrangement. The main change is that IceWhale is placing greater emphasis on workflow separation, SSD acceleration, and long-term expandability than it did with the original launch material.

ZimaCube 2 – Internal Hardware

Internally, the ZimaCube 2 range is split more clearly than the first generation. The base ZimaCube 2 moves to an Intel Core i3-1215U with 8GB of DDR5 memory, while the ZimaCube 2 Pro uses an Intel Core i5-1235U with 16GB of DDR5. At the top end, the Creator Pack keeps the same Core i5 platform but adds 64GB of memory, 1TB of NVMe storage, and a discrete NVIDIA RTX Pro 2000. That gives IceWhale a broader spread than before, from an entry configuration that is still positioned above the original N100-based ZimaCube to a much more workstation-like variant aimed at GPU-assisted workloads.

The wider platform also reflects a shift in how IceWhale wants these systems to be used. The first ZimaCube family already supported alternative operating systems, containers, media serving, and some expansion, but the ZimaCube 2 line places far more emphasis on concurrent mixed workloads. IceWhale is explicitly framing the hardware around virtual machines, Docker containers, AI tools, real-time media handling, and direct high-speed project access, which explains the move to newer mobile Intel processors, DDR5 memory, and a more aggressive expansion story. In that sense, the second generation is less a conventional NAS refresh and more an attempt to position the product as a compact storage server with broader compute utility.

In practical terms, the main difference is not clock speed, since both chips top out at 4.40GHz, but core count and thread count. The i5-1235U adds 4 more Efficient cores, 4 more threads, and 2MB more cache, which should make it noticeably better suited to heavier multitasking, containers, background services, and mixed NAS plus VM workloads.

At the same time, the headline changes need to be read carefully. The ZimaCube 2 Pro remains on the same Core i5-1235U class processor as the previous ZimaCube Pro, so not every model represents a major CPU leap. The more meaningful changes are in how the range is tiered, the addition of a pre-configured GPU-equipped Creator Pack, and the clearer effort to make higher-end use cases part of the official positioning rather than secondary possibilities. For buyers comparing model to model, the internal hardware story is therefore partly about real platform flexibility and partly about IceWhale packaging familiar capabilities into more defined product tiers.

ZimaCube 2 – Ports & Connections

The connectivity story is one of the clearer areas where IceWhale is trying to separate the ZimaCube 2 family from entry-level NAS hardware. Across the new range, the headline feature is the inclusion of 2 rear Thunderbolt 4 or USB4-class USB-C connections rated at 40Gbps on both the standard and Pro tier, which IceWhale is positioning for direct Mac or PC attachment as well as high-speed external expansion. That is a notable distinction from many mainstream NAS products, which typically rely on Ethernet alone for primary high-speed access. Here, IceWhale is clearly trying to support both networked storage use and direct-attached workflow scenarios from the same box.

Networking is also relatively strong on paper. Based on the revealed specifications, the ZimaCube 2 family includes 2 x Intel i226 2.5GbE ports and 1 x Marvell AQC113 10GbE port exclusively on the Pro model. In practical terms, that allows for several deployment options, including direct multi-gig connections, use as a higher-speed shared storage node, or separation of management and data traffic. For users comparing it with the previous generation, the main point is that higher-end network capability now appears to be treated as a core part of the wider ZimaCube 2 platform rather than something reserved only for the Pro model.

The rest of the external I/O is fairly conventional but functional. IceWhale lists 4 x USB-A 3.0 ports, 1 x USB-C 3.0 port, DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Combined with the PCIe expansion support inside the chassis, that gives the platform a broader connection profile than a typical sealed NAS appliance. Even so, the real significance here is not any single port in isolation, but the fact that IceWhale continues to present the ZimaCube 2 as a hybrid device that sits somewhere between a NAS, a small server, and a compact workstation-class storage platform.

ZimaCube 2 vs ZimaCube 1 – What Has Changed?

The biggest change is at the bottom of the range. The original ZimaCube was built around Intel’s N100, DDR4 memory, Gen 3 expansion, and 2 x 2.5GbE, which made it the more basic model in the lineup. By contrast, the new ZimaCube 2 raises the baseline to a Core i3-1215U with DDR5 memory, while keeping the same overall 6-bay chassis concept and hybrid storage approach. That is a meaningful improvement in entry-level compute capability, but it does not completely remove the gap between standard and Pro variants, since the non-Pro ZimaCube 2 still stops at 2 x 2.5GbE and does not gain the extra 10GbE port.

The Pro side is a more mixed story. The original ZimaCube Pro already offered a Core i5-1235U, DDR5, 10GbE, Thunderbolt 4, and faster M.2 performance in the 7th bay, so the ZimaCube 2 Pro does not represent the same kind of obvious jump seen on the standard model. In CPU terms, it appears to stay in essentially the same class, which makes this look more like a product refinement than a full hardware reset. IceWhale is clearly pushing the second generation more aggressively toward creator workflows, virtualization, AI-related use cases, and direct-attached high-speed storage, but that broader messaging should not be mistaken for a major leap in every core hardware area.

That leaves the ZimaCube 2 generation looking unevenly improved depending on which model is being compared. The standard ZimaCube 2 is substantially more capable than the first non-Pro system, while the ZimaCube 2 Pro looks more like a cleaner, more retail-ready continuation of what the first Pro already set out to do. The new Creator Pack is the main addition that materially changes the shape of the lineup, since it introduces a pre-configured GPU-equipped option rather than leaving that path entirely to user expansion. So while IceWhale is presenting the ZimaCube 2 family as a broader second-generation platform, the actual extent of change varies quite sharply between the base and Pro tiers.

ZimaOS – The Software that is included with the ZimaCube 2 (Is it actually any good?)

ZimaOS is IceWhale’s Linux-based NAS operating system, developed out of the earlier CasaOS foundation and originally tied closely to the ZimaCube hardware before becoming available more broadly as a standalone platform. In practical terms, its main appeal is that it tries to lower the barrier to entry for first-time NAS users without stripping away too much of the flexibility expected from a self-hosted system. Based on the information provided, the software combines a browser-based management interface with a dedicated Zima Client application for desktop and mobile, giving it a more guided and consumer-facing feel than many free NAS operating systems.

Installation appears relatively straightforward, using a standard image-writing process and USB boot method, and the platform is light enough to run on modest boot media rather than requiring a large dedicated SSD. The interface focuses heavily on accessibility: native file browsing, straightforward share creation, basic RAID setup, network management, cloud and LAN storage integration, drive mapping, local backup jobs, and remote access are all presented in a simplified GUI rather than being heavily dependent on command line work. That simplicity is one of its clearest points of distinction from platforms such as TrueNAS and OpenMediaVault, which can offer deeper storage control but are often more intimidating to less experienced users.

At the same time, ZimaOS is not being positioned as a stripped-down toy platform. IceWhale is clearly treating it as a full software layer for a turnkey NAS or personal cloud deployment, with support for app containers, developer mode, SSH access, SMB sharing, Time Machine compatibility, AI-assisted semantic search, and direct Thunderbolt connectivity on supported hardware. The client application is also an important part of the package, since it extends the platform beyond simple browser access by adding local discovery, mapped access, backup synchronisation, and peer-to-peer file transfer in a way that many free NAS platforms do not include by default.

However, the software still has some visible limits: configuration depth remains lighter than enterprise-oriented rivals, some features appear to be more polished than others, and direct Thunderbolt or USB4 support may still depend heavily on driver compatibility and the exact hardware being used. Its RAID tools are deliberately simple, but do not currently match the flexibility of more mature systems in areas such as mixed-drive storage schemes.

Pricing also shows how IceWhale is segmenting the platform in 2026: the base ZimaOS Free tier includes core features, the Zima Client for mobile and PC, Thunderbolt support, developer mode, support for up to 4 disks, and 3 members, while ZimaOS+ adds unlimited disks and unlimited users for a $29 lifetime license (to confirm, any ZimaCube, Zimaboard and ZimaBlade device includes the lifetime license). Taken together, ZimaOS appears to sit in a useful middle ground: more approachable than many traditional NAS operating systems, more complete than many lightweight hobbyist options, and increasingly viable both as bundled software for ZimaCube hardware and as a standalone OS for low-cost custom systems.

ZimaCube 2 – Worth it? Price and Release Date?

Taken at face value, the ZimaCube 2 family looks more like a measured revision of the original concept than a major generational leap. Compared with the first ZimaCube, there are clear upgrades in entry-level processor choice, memory platform, expansion framing, and product segmentation, but the broader structure remains very familiar. The unchanged chassis dimensions, continued 6-bay plus 7th-bay layout, and the fact that the Pro model remains in essentially the same CPU class as before all make this feel closer to the kind of 2 to 3 year refresh cycle often seen from established turnkey NAS vendors such as Synology and QNAP, rather than a wholly new platform that significantly expands the portfolio or redefines what the product is.

That said, this does not make the ZimaCube 2 underwhelming in absolute terms. Even if the scale of change appears evolutionary rather than transformative, it is still a notably well-equipped system on paper, with ZimaOS included, direct Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 connectivity, PCIe expansion, hybrid storage flexibility, and a full hardware and software turnkey approach that many DIY alternatives do not offer in one package. The result is a platform that may not radically depart from the first ZimaCube’s formula, but still presents a relatively complete and capable storage server solution for users who want open deployment options without having to assemble and integrate everything themselves.

In pricing terms, IceWhale is placing the ZimaCube 2 range above the original entry model but still within the upper end of the prosumer NAS and compact server market. The ZimaCube 2 starts at $799, the ZimaCube 2 Pro rises to $1,299, and the Creator Pack reaches $2,499 with its added GPU, memory, and larger SSD allocation. That means the new range is not being introduced as a low-cost disruption, but rather as a more fully specified turnkey platform aimed at users who want performance, flexibility, and direct connectivity in a single package. IceWhale is currently listing the systems as pre-orders, with shipping expected to begin from March 30, suggesting that the second generation is being brought to market through a more conventional retail path than the original crowdfunding-led launch.

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WE LOVE COFFEE

 

Comme vous le savez, j’aime beaucoup voyager… même si les finances ne le permettent pas toujours autant que je le souhaiterais. S’il m’arrive de partir pour le plaisir avec la famille ou les amis, je me déplace aussi régulièrement pour le travail. Justement, je suis actuellement en déplacement pour quelques jours. Je me suis dit que c’était l’occasion de partager quelques astuces et accessoires que j’utilise depuis des années et qui me facilitent vraiment la vie en voyage : sac à dos, pochettes, chargeurs, etc.

Accessoires indispensables pour voyager

 

Sac à dos valise

Commençons par le sac à dos valise. Mon premier date de 2018. Je l’ai toujours, même s’il commence à accuser le coup. Il faut dire qu’il a pas mal voyagé avec moi… mais aussi avec des potes et des collègues à qui je l’ai prêté. La marque existe toujours (Cabin Max) et elle a complètement revu sa gamme depuis. Le principe reste le même : c’est un sac à dos assez large (pas forcément très élégant), suffisamment pour emporter l’essentiel lors d’un déplacement de deux nuits. Chaque membre de la famille a le sien, c’est très pratique.

On peut facilement y glisser quelques vêtements de rechange (t-shirts, pantalon, sous-vêtements…), une trousse de toilette, mon ordinateur portable, chargeur, batterie externe… Le gros avantage, c’est qu’il est facilement accepté en cabine comme bagage à main dans les avions. Résultat : pas de bagage en soute.

Sac à dos

Autre accessoire indispensable : le sac à dos. C’est clairement votre meilleur allié en déplacement. J’en emmène toujours un, que ce soit pour un court séjour ou un voyage plus long. Rien de très original de mon côté, j’utilise un Eastpak Wyoming avec un renfort sur la partie basse. Pourquoi celui-là ? D’abord pour le style : j’aime bien son aspect bicolore. Mais aussi parce qu’il garde mieux sa forme dans le temps. Il est parfait pour une balade, une journée à la plage, etc. Il m’est arrivé d’utiliser mon sac à dos valise (mentionné ci-dessus) comme sac à dos classique, mais il est assez encombrant.

Sac sous vide manuel

On les appelle souvent sacs compactor : ce sont des sacs de rangement sous vide. J’en emmène généralement un ou deux avec moi. Ils sont parfaits pour ranger les sous-vêtements, les chaussettes, t-shirts… En revanche, je déconseille de les utiliser pour les chemises, qui risquent de se froisser. Ils peuvent aussi servir au retour pour isoler les vêtements sales. Le gain de place dans un sac est réel. Le vide d’air se fait simplement en roulant le sac ou en appuyant dessus doucement pour expulser l’air. Il existe plusieurs tailles et les prix sont très accessibles. Et bien sûr, ils sont réutilisables

Pochette à rabat

Lorsque je pars en déplacement professionnel et que je dois emporter une chemise (ou plusieurs), je la glisse dans une pochette à rabat. Je replie légèrement les bords de la pochette pour créer un peu d’épaisseur pour protéger la chemise et limite les plis pendant le transport. Ce n’est évidemment pas une solution miracle, mais ça fonctionne plutôt bien.

Une fois arrivé à destination (généralement à l’hôtel), je passe simplement à la réception pour demander un fer à repasser. En quelques minutes, la chemise retrouve une allure correcte. C’est une petite astuce simple qui évite de transporter une housse à vêtements beaucoup plus encombrante.

Chargeurs

Je mentionnais les chargeurs plus haut : j’en ai plusieurs, mais j’ai récemment investi dans un adaptateur de voyage Belkin de 100 W GaN et il est super pratique. Il permet de choisir entre trois fiches : US, UK et EU. Il dispose aussi de deux ports USB-C et d’un port USB-A. On peut donc charger simultanément un ordinateur portable, une tablette et un téléphone. Il est compact, discret… et franchement très pratique. En revanche, il assez cher, comptez environ 50€.

Quand on voyage avec Madame, j’ajoute ce petit Anker 67 W GaN pliable. En effet, la fiche secteur peut se replier sur le chargeur. Il ne prend pas beaucoup de place. Il peut recharger sans souci un ordinateur portable et un téléphone simultanément.

Batterie externe

 

Je n’utilise qu’une à deux batteries externes. J’avoue que j’ai une préférence pour la marque Anker… je n’ai jamais eu de problème (même avec d’autres produits de la marque). La version MagSafe de 5000 mAh me suit partout. Elle offre un bon compromis entre capacité, rapidité de charge, finesse, légèreté… idéale pour les randonnées ou les longues journées sur les salons.

Écouteurs

Depuis plus de 15 ans, j’utilise des écouteurs (ou un casque) avec réduction de bruit. Les premiers étaient des Sennheiser assez encombrants (2010), qui fonctionnaient avec 2 piles, un micro déporté et un DSP plutôt efficace pour l’époque. Depuis, la miniaturisation est passée par là… On trouve aujourd’hui des écouteurs qui tiennent dans la paume de la main et qui sont extrêmement performants. De mon côté, j’utilise des AirPods Pro 3 au quotidien (lire mon article).

Traqueur

J’ai aussi un AirTag que je place dans ma valise ou dans mon sac. Je ne vais pas raconter toute l’histoire (ce serait trop long), mais cet AirTag m’a sauvé deux fois : une fois dans un train dans un sac et une autre fois dans un aéroport avec une valise égarée. J’ai dû en racheter un récemment, mais vu le prix, j’ai testé une alternative : le UGREEN Smart Finder Tag. Il coûte environ deux fois moins cher et fonctionne tout aussi bien.

Gourde

J’ai une petite gourde de 500 ml qui me suit depuis des années. C’est extrêmement pratique, surtout lors de longs trajets. On peut tout à fait voyager avec une gourde en avion, mais il faudra la vider avant de passer les contrôles de sécurité. Dans la plupart des aéroports, vous trouverez ensuite des fontaines à eau (souvent près des toilettes) pour la remplir.

Couteau suisse

Voyager avec un couteau en avion est interdit… enfin, pas totalement. Si la lame fait moins de 6 cm : aucun souci en Europe (il faut faire attention aux règles locales). Cela dit, je n’ai jamais vraiment tenté. En revanche, il est tout à fait possible de le mettre dans un bagage en soute. Si vous voyagez en train, aucun souci… personnellement, j’aime bien avoir avec moi un couteau Suisse.

En synthèse

Voilà, vous en savez maintenant un peu plus sur ce qui m’accompagne lors de mes déplacements personnels et professionnels. Rien de révolutionnaire dans cette liste, mais ce sont des accessoires que j’utilise depuis des années et qui m’ont souvent simplifié la vie en voyage.

Et vous, avez-vous des astuces ou des produits qui vous suivent systématiquement lors de vos déplacements ? N’hésitez pas à laisser un commentaire pour partager vos recommandations. C’est toujours intéressant de découvrir les habitudes des autres voyageurs

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The Terramaster F2-425 – Should You Buy This NAS?

The TerraMaster F2-425 takes the same underlying hardware platform as the F4-425 and adapts it to a smaller 2 bay format aimed at simpler home and small office environments. With the same Intel Celeron N5095 processor, 4GB of upgradeable DDR4 memory, and single 2.5GbE connection, it delivers comparable compute capability in a more compact enclosure that prioritizes quiet operation and minimal physical footprint. The appeal of the F2-425 is less about expansion and more about practicality, targeting users who want centralized storage, backups, and media services without managing a larger multi drive system. It fits particularly well in scenarios where space, noise, and cost matter more than raw throughput or long term capacity growth. Rather than competing with higher end 2 bay NAS units that include NVMe caching or faster networking, the F2-425 focuses on providing a straightforward Intel based NAS experience that covers common use cases while leaving room for memory upgrades or alternative operating systems if requirements change later.

Amazon in Your Region	Terramaster F2-425 PLUS	B&H NAS Shop

Accessible Entry Into Intel NAS for Smaller Setups in the F2-425

The F2-425 stands out by bringing an Intel x86 platform into the more compact and cost sensitive 2 bay NAS category. Many 2 bay systems at this size and price rely on ARM processors, which can limit software compatibility and long term flexibility. By contrast, the F2-425 provides an Intel based environment that supports a broader range of applications, containers, and services, while remaining relatively affordable for home and small office users. Its value is less about raw performance and more about flexibility, giving users access to an x86 ecosystem without stepping up to more expensive 2 bay models that add NVMe caching or higher speed networking. For buyers who want a simple, compact NAS that can comfortably handle file sharing, backups, and media services, but who also want the option to expand functionality through third party applications or alternative operating systems, the F2-425 offers a balanced and practical entry point.

Simplified Capacity Planning for Home Users on the F2-425

On the F2-425, TRAID plays a slightly different role and aligns more closely with simplicity than scale. In a 2 bay NAS, users are often limited to RAID 1 or single disk configurations, which can make capacity upgrades feel restrictive. TRAID allows the F2-425 to handle mismatched drive sizes more gracefully, reducing the penalty of upgrading one drive at a time. This is particularly useful for home users who may start with smaller disks and later replace them individually rather than investing in a matched pair upfront.

The system abstracts much of the complexity away from the user, making storage expansion more approachable for those who do not want to manually manage RAID levels or rebuild arrays. While the absolute capacity ceiling is lower than on the 4 bay model, the F2-425 benefits from a storage system that prioritizes ease of use and gradual growth rather than strict optimization.

Quiet, Consistent Performance in a Compact Chassis of the F2-425

The F2-425 emphasizes steady and predictable performance rather than raw throughput, which aligns well with its smaller enclosure and typical use cases. With fewer drive bays and a lower likelihood of simultaneous high demand from multiple users, the Intel Celeron N5095 is generally sufficient for file serving, media playback, and routine background tasks. Hardware assisted video decoding allows the system to handle 4K media streaming with reduced CPU load, helping maintain responsiveness even during playback. The smaller chassis and lower overall thermal output also contribute to consistent behavior under everyday workloads, without aggressive fan ramping in most scenarios. For users placing the NAS in a living space or home office, this balance between performance and noise control can be more relevant than peak throughput figures.

Straightforward Management for Individual and Family Use with the F2-425

On the F2-425, the same TOS 6 platform is presented in a context that favors simplicity and accessibility. The interface is largely self contained and can be managed through a browser or the TNAS mobile application, which is useful for users who want basic control without learning advanced system administration. Features such as automated photo backups, shared folders, and user account isolation are easy to configure and align well with typical home usage.

In a smaller NAS, the emphasis is less on complex workflows and more on reliability and ease of access, and TOS 6 supports this by consolidating most tasks into a single interface. For users moving from external drives or cloud storage, the software environment on the F2-425 provides a relatively gentle transition into centralized network storage.

Long Term Flexibility Beyond the Default Software of the F2-425

The F2-425 also benefits from its openness as an x86 based system, which can be especially relevant in a smaller NAS that may change roles over time. While many users will initially deploy it as a simple file server or media box using TOS 6, the ability to switch to a different operating system later allows the hardware to be repurposed rather than replaced. This could include running a lightweight home server, experimenting with container workloads, or using it as a learning platform for NAS and Linux based systems. In a compact 2 bay device, this flexibility helps offset the more limited expansion options by giving the hardware multiple potential use cases across its lifespan. For users who want a small NAS that is not locked into a single software path, the F2-425 offers a degree of freedom that is less common in this size and price range.

Network Bandwidth Ceiling Reached Quickly in the F2-425

On the F2-425, the same single 2.5GbE port presents a different but still relevant constraint. Although a 2 bay NAS is less likely to push extreme throughput compared to a 4 bay system, even a pair of modern hard drives in RAID 0 or during parallel access can approach the limits of a 2.5GbE connection. This reduces the benefit of faster drives and makes performance gains from certain configurations less noticeable in real world use.

For users who plan to use SSDs or who already have a multi gigabit home network, the absence of faster native networking may feel restrictive. As with the F4-425, expansion via USB adapters is possible, but it adds another dependency rather than providing a clean, integrated solution. For a device positioned as an Intel based NAS, the networking capabilities may feel conservative relative to current expectations.

No SSD Cache or High Speed Tier Options on the F2-425

On the F2-425, the lack of NVMe support affects usability in a more subtle but still meaningful way. A 2 bay NAS often benefits from SSD caching to compensate for limited drive count, improving responsiveness during file browsing, small file access, and application use. Without NVMe slots, users are restricted to SATA based storage, and dedicating a drive bay to an SSD for caching or fast storage comes at the cost of usable capacity or redundancy. This reduces flexibility, especially for users who want to mix performance and safety in a compact system. While the F2-425 can still perform well for basic file serving and media playback, it does not offer a clear upgrade path for users who later want faster storage tiers without replacing the system entirely. In this size class, the absence of NVMe support reinforces its role as a straightforward storage appliance rather than a performance tunable platform.

Limited Headroom for Future Software Demands of the F2-425

In the F2-425, the same N5095 processor is generally adequate for its intended use cases, but it still represents a compromise when viewed against newer entry level Intel CPUs. For a compact NAS, the processor is sufficient for file sharing, backups, and media playback, but it offers less margin for expanding into additional services or more demanding applications. As operating systems and third party tools evolve, performance expectations tend to rise, and the older architecture may reach its limits sooner than more recent alternatives. This does not prevent the F2-425 from performing its current role effectively, but it does mean that users planning to grow their usage beyond basic tasks may encounter constraints earlier in the system’s lifespan. The CPU choice reinforces the device’s position as an entry level Intel NAS rather than a long term performance platform.

Hardware Feature That Adds Little Day to Day Value in the F2-425

On the F2-425, the HDMI port has even less practical relevance for most users. Given the device’s smaller size and typical placement in home environments, it is unlikely to be connected directly to a display for regular interaction. As with the larger model, the HDMI output does not provide access to a graphical interface or media center functionality under the default operating system. This limits its usefulness to diagnostics or alternative OS installation scenarios.

For users expecting local playback or direct control via a monitor and keyboard, the presence of HDMI may create expectations that are not met in practice. In everyday use, the port remains largely unused, making it more of a technical inclusion than a functional feature for the target audience.

Narrow Upgrade Path Compared to Nearby Alternatives of the F2-425

The F2-425 faces a similar issue within TerraMaster’s broader range, particularly when compared to other compact Intel based NAS models that include NVMe slots or more efficient processors. While the initial cost is lower, the lack of internal expansion options means users are largely locked into the performance profile they purchase on day 1. For buyers who later decide they want faster storage tiers, improved networking, or more responsive application performance, there is limited scope to evolve the system without replacing it entirely. In this context, the F2-425 works best for clearly defined and stable use cases, but it is less forgiving if requirements change. The presence of more flexible alternatives nearby in the lineup makes this limitation more noticeable when evaluating long term ownership.

Conclusion and Verdict of the F2-425 Review – Should You Buy?

The TerraMaster F2-425 offers a compact and accessible route into Intel based NAS ownership, focusing on everyday storage, backups, and media services rather than advanced performance tuning. Its smaller form factor, quieter operation, and simpler capacity planning align well with home and small office environments where space and ease of use matter more than throughput. The inclusion of TOS 6 and support for alternative operating systems provides flexibility at the software level, helping extend the usefulness of the hardware across different roles over time. However, like its 4 bay counterpart, the F2-425 has clearly defined limits. The lack of NVMe support and faster native networking means there is little room to grow into more demanding workloads, and the aging processor reinforces its position as an entry level Intel NAS. For users with modest, stable requirements, it can serve reliably as a central data hub. For those who anticipate expanding performance needs or experimenting with higher speed storage and networking, nearby alternatives may offer better long term value, even if they come at a higher initial cost.

Amazon in Your Region	Terramaster F2-425 PLUS	B&H NAS Shop

 

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